Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9260101
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for providing an electrical torque command to an electric motor and/or a combustion torque command to an internal combustion engine in response to a torque output value determined in response to an oxygen limited torque response of a conventional baseline engine and a torque curve of the internal combustion engine of a hybrid or start-stop vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Martin T. Books
  • Patent number: 9260102
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Teslak, Gregory Michael Pietron, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Yuji Fujii, Michael Glenn Fodor, Diana Yanakiev, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9260103
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an electric heater to determine heater functionality is based on actual heater power consumption relative to expected heater power consumption during operating conditions where electrical power consumption by other system components can be accurately estimated. One or more components, including a second heating source, may be controlled based on the heater functionality. The system may include a hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric heater and heater core, a valve positioned to route coolant through the engine and/or the electric heater, and a controller configured to store a diagnostic code and/or start the engine when the electric heater is commanded on and when the actual energy consumption of the electric heater is below a corresponding threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, William David Treharne
  • Patent number: 9260104
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of determining a first value as a detection error when such specific conditions that a most recent IG OFF time period is equal to or longer than a predetermined time period, that motor running has continued since start of running, that a time period of running is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time period, that a square value of a current during running is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, that a temperature at the time of start of running is within a predetermined range, and that a temperature of an atmosphere is within a predetermined range are satisfied, determining a second value as a detection error when the specific conditions are not satisfied, estimating SOC by using the determined detection error, and controlling drive based on the estimated SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junta Izumi
  • Patent number: 9260105
    Abstract: A system and method of managing power in a hybrid vehicle are provided. The system includes an engine, first and second electronic power components, a power storage device, and a controller. The power storage device is configured to supply a power output to the second electronic power component necessary for the second electronic power component to drive a second set of drive wheels, in an electronic all-wheel drive mode. In steep grade environments, the power storage device is depleted at a higher rate, and may require a power input in addition to the power input of a conventional charge to adequately supply the second electronic power component with adequate power. To provide this power, the controller executes a series of control steps to increase a power output of the first electronic power component, by increasing the speed of the engine, thereby providing continuous power to the power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Tolkacz, Norman Schoenek, Min-Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 9260106
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train which has an electric motor for producing a mechanical target torque corresponding to an electric desired power level includes: specifying, as a function of a state of charge of a power battery, the electric desired power level, the electric desired power level being independent of the state of charge of the power battery when the state of charge of the power battery is in a plateau region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Schmidt, Axel Reuter
  • Patent number: 9260107
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch transfer function may be adapted in response to engine operating conditions during closing of the driveline disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9260108
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain includes the following steps: (a) receiving, via a control module, a torque request; (b) commanding, via the control module, the first clutch of an automatic transmission to shift to a disengaged position in response to the torque request; (c) commanding, via the control module, an electric motor-generator to transmit torque to an internal combustion engine until a speed of a second clutch is substantially synchronized with a speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) commanding, via the control module, the second clutch to shift to the engaged position after the speed of the second clutch is substantially synchronized with the speed of the internal combustion engine. The automatic transmission shifts a transmission speed ratio from an initial speed ratio to a subsequent speed ratio when the second clutch is in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lan Wang, Min-Joong Kim, Todd Thor
  • Patent number: 9260109
    Abstract: In a control device for a hybrid vehicle (1) including a dual-clutch transmission (10), a first MG (3) connected to a first input shaft (13) of the transmission (10) in a power transmittable manner and a second MG (4) connected to a second input shaft (14) of the transmission (10) in a power transmittable manner, while the vehicle (1) is travelling with the use of an internal combustion engine (2), the transmission (10) is controlled such that power transmission between the input shaft, which is interrupted in power transmission from the internal combustion engine (2), and an output system (12) is interrupted when an accelerator pedal is depressed, and the transmission (10) is controlled such that power transmission between the input shaft, which is interrupted in power transmission from the internal combustion engine (2), and the output system (12) is established by a gear train of a speed position lower than a current speed position when depression of the accelerator pedal is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9260110
    Abstract: It is provided a control device of a hybrid type vehicle power transmission device having a prime mover and an electric motor each coupled to a drive shaft in a power transmittable manner, including: a slow change processing means, when any of a torque of the drive shaft, a torque of the prime mover, and a torque of the electric motor changes and passes through zero, slowly changing the torque at a change rate set in advance for suppressing gear rattling noise; and a torque compensating means, if the slow change processing means slowly changes the torque of one of the prime mover and the electric motor, compensating a shortage of the torque of the drive shaft occurring due to the slow change with the other torque not slowly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takemi Tamura, Hideto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9260111
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle has an engine and an electric motor, the hybrid vehicle being configured to perform motor running using only the electric motor for running and engine running using at least the engine for running, the control device comprising: a first starting portion starting the engine by using the electric motor; and a second starting portion starting the engine without using the electric motor, the control device being configured to expand a range of performing the motor running when the engine is started by the second starting portion as compared to when the engine is started by the first starting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Toshio Sugimura
  • Patent number: 9260112
    Abstract: The control apparatus includes a clutch release determining portion configured to detect that a clutch is placed in the released state, and an engine starting control portion configured to initiate an engine starting control to start an engine after the clutch release determining portion has detected that the clutch is placed in the released state, when the engine starting control is implemented during an output gear is rotated in a reverse direction with a torque generated by at least one of first and second electric motors MG1 and MG2. The initiation of the engine starting control after the detection of the released state of the clutch permits effective prevention of reversal of the rotating direction of the output gear from the reverse direction to the forward direction and a rise of the rotating speed of the output gear with a rise of the operating speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Kimura
  • Patent number: 9260113
    Abstract: A method is provided for generating a control parameter for a control system of a vehicle, in particular a distance control system. Here, the method may be carried out in conjunction with a vehicle which includes a surroundings detection attachment directed in the driving direction of the vehicle. The method has a step of determining at least one object property of an object in an area in the driving direction ahead of the vehicle by using surroundings data from the surroundings detection attachment. Here, the at least one object property represents a movement state and an object position of the object with regard to a vehicle position of the vehicle and/or with regard to a roadway in the area in the driving direction ahead of the vehicle. The method also includes a step of generating the control parameter as a function of the at least one object property of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Ganesh Kasiraj, Florian Hauler
  • Patent number: 9260114
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for implementing inter-vehicle distance control of a vehicle carrying the apparatus behind a preceding vehicle. In the apparatus, an offset storage is configured to calculate an offset that is a difference between detected distances to first and second targets, and store the offset associated with the first target forward of the second target. The inter-vehicle distance control may be implemented based on a distance calculated by subtracting the offset from the detected distance to the first target. An offset eraser is configured to, based on the presence or absence of relative displacement between the first and second targets, determine whether or not the first and second targets belong to different vehicles, and when the first and second targets belong to different vehicles, erase the offset stored by the offset storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: DENSO Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Tokimasa, Youhei Masui, Minoru Nakadori
  • Patent number: 9260115
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for implementing inter-vehicle distance control of a subject vehicle carrying the apparatus behind a preceding vehicle based on reflected waves from a target that is a reflecting portion of the preceding vehicle. In the apparatus, a distance estimator is configured to calculate an estimated distance as an inter-vehicle distance between a rear end of the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle based on an inter-vehicle distance variation calculated based on a relative speed of the target. A target determiner is configured to determine whether or not the target is displaced forward of the rear end of the preceding vehicle. A controller is configured to, when the target of the preceding vehicle is displaced forward of the rear end of the preceding vehicle, implement the inter-vehicle distance control based on the estimated distance calculated by the distance estimator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: DENSO Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Tokimasa, Youhei Masui, Minoru Nakadori
  • Patent number: 9260116
    Abstract: A target drive force is computed according to an accelerator pedal opening. A target input rotation speed lower limit basic value to an automatic transmission is computed based on a vehicle speed and a shift range of the automatic transmission. A target drive force lower limit correction value is computed based on the target input rotation speed lower limit basic value. The target drive force is corrected based on the target drive force lower limit correction value. A target input torque of the automatic transmission is computed based on the target drive force after correction. An input torque to the automatic transmission is controlled to the target input torque. By this control, an arbitrary drive force characteristic can be obtained in a PTD control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yoshino, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 9260117
    Abstract: A method comprising removing a roof from a railcar, the railcar comprising a plurality of top chords, coupling an outer portion of a replacement roof to one or more of the plurality of top chords, the outer portion comprising a frame and a first plurality of panels, and coupling an inner portion of the replacement roof to the frame of the outer portion of the replacement roof after coupling the outer portion to one or more of the plurality of top chords, the inner portion comprising a second plurality of panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry W. Vande Sande
  • Patent number: 9260118
    Abstract: A manway assembly features a nozzle featuring a groove. A cover is attached to the nozzle and may be pivoted between open and closed positions. Retainers secure latch segments to the cover so that they may slide with respect to the cover. A latching mechanism moves the latch segments into and out of engagement with the groove of the nozzle sidewall when the cover is in the closed position. The latching mechanism may include a screw rod that is turned to move the latch segments. The nozzle may also include a nozzle rim that is provided with the manway assembly and secured to a remaining portion of the nozzle. The nozzle assembly may also include an outer cover attached to the nozzle in a hinged fashion and adapted to cover the manway cover when in the closed position to protect the latching mechanism from the environment and tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Union Tank Car Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Douglas, Gary C. Walter
  • Patent number: 9260119
    Abstract: A full butt joint structure of a connection joint between a side frame and a cross beam of a bogie frame, characterized in: the side frame is connected to the cross beam by a connecting seat to realize the full butt joint, a side frame connecting end of the connecting seat, a transport column and a side frame inside vertical plate form a plate-plate butt joint structure, and a cross beam connecting end of the connecting seat and the cross beam form a tube-tube butt joint structure. An assembly welding process comprises: the connecting seat is assembled and welded to the cross beam; a cross beam unit is assembled and welded; the connecting seat is assembled and welded to the transport column and the side frame inside vertical plate; a side frame strengthen partition plate is assembled and welded to an upper plate; and the bogie frame is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CHANGCHUN RAILWAY VEHICLES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Li Chang
  • Patent number: 9260120
    Abstract: Devices, a system and a method for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails are provided, the railcar having wheel treads that ride on the rails. A railcar stop is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the rails, and a second position wherein the railcar stop is configured to engage the tread of the at least one of the wheels to thereby stop and prevent travel of the railcar in at least a first direction along the rails. The railcar stop is further configured to be selectively movable in the first direction along the rails from the second position to a third position to thereby disengage the railcar stop from the tread of the least one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Precision Rail and Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis James Opelt, Neal W Becker, Gene Z Gokhman
  • Patent number: 9260121
    Abstract: A particularly efficient method for operating a switching yard includes determining a position of a locomotive on an inbound track of the switching yard, determining a position of a front end of a unit to be divided facing a hump of the switching yard relative to a unit to be divided to be pushed by the locomotive from the inbound track to the hump, determining a distance between the locomotive and the front end of the unit to be divided on the basis of the determined positions, and comparing the determined distance to a reference value for the length of the unit to be divided. A control device for a switching yard is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Ingo Jung
  • Patent number: 9260122
    Abstract: Video image data is acquired from synchronized cameras having overlapping views of objects moving past the cameras through a scene image in a linear array and with a determined speed. Processing units generate one or more object detections associated with confidence scores within frames of the camera video stream data. The confidence scores are modified as a function of constraint contexts including a cross-frame constraint that is defined by other confidence scores of other object detection decisions from the video data that are acquired by the same camera at different times; a cross-view constraint defined by other confidence scores of other object detections in the video data from another camera with an overlapping field-of-view; and a cross-object constraint defined by a sequential context of a linear array of the objects, spatial attributes of the objects and the determined speed of the movement of the objects relative to the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Haas, Ying Li, Charles A. Otto, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Hoang Trinh
  • Patent number: 9260123
    Abstract: A system for determining locomotive position in a consist including a first locomotive, a second locomotive, and one or more additional locomotives has a processor configured to determine first measurements taken starting from the first locomotive and capable of quantifying distances between the first locomotive and the second locomotive and the first locomotive and the one or more additional locomotives. The processor is also configured to determine second measurements taken starting from the second locomotive and capable of quantifying distances between the second locomotive and the first locomotive and the second locomotive and the one or more additional locomotives. The processor is further configured to combine the first measurements and the second measurements into a combined data set and, determine a locomotive consist order based on the combined data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Fanara, Warren Douglas Burnett
  • Patent number: 9260124
    Abstract: Disclosed is a folding golf cart including a front frame having a bag bottom carrier, two rear wheel frames connected to the front frame via connecting bars, vertical pivot frames installed to the rear wheel frames so as to be pivotable upward and toward a front wheel, a bag support frame connected to the vertical pivot frames via pillars, the bag support frame having a bag support member and a pull handle, a longitudinal prop installed between the front frame and the bag support frame, and a transverse prop installed between the rear wheel frames. The golf cart ensures easy folding thereof, takes the form of a small volume box in a folded state thereof, and is convenient in handling owing to a relatively light weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hyungsung Corporation
    Inventors: Hyung Jin Yim, Kyung Hee Moon, Tae Hwa Moon
  • Patent number: 9260125
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pallet transportation assembly comprising a first tine, a second tine, and a body coupled to the first and second tines comprising a tine adjustment system, a wheel, and a vertical backing portion, wherein the first or second tine further comprises a riser hinged to the first or second tine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Charles Ellington, Nicholas Elsworth Petroff, Jr., Melvin D. Reeves, II, John P. Barry, Ira Donavan Youmans, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9260126
    Abstract: A nestable shopping cart having a fixed child seat and a tubular frame construction basket providing strong and rigid construction with a reduced number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: V. John Ondrasik
  • Patent number: 9260127
    Abstract: Maneuverable strollers are disclosed herein. An example stroller disclosed herein includes a frame having a front wheel and rear wheel to support the frame. An intermediate wheel is positioned between the front wheel and the rear wheel. The example stroller includes a support having a first end and a second end, where the first end supports the intermediate wheel and the second end supports the rear wheel. The support to pivotally couple the intermediate wheel and the rear wheel to the frame, the support defining a pivot axis positioned between the intermediate wheel and the rear wheel when the support is pivotally coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KOLCRAFT ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Rolicki, Liviu Iftinca, Wes Thomas, Ted Bretschger
  • Patent number: 9260128
    Abstract: A collapsible stroller comprising a frame and a reversible seat (5) comprising an armrest portion (5.5) is provided. The reversible seat (5) is mountable via an attachment point on the stroller frame in either a forward or rearward orientation with respect to the stroller frame, and in such a way that the attachment point can be moved relative to the stroller frame for collapse of the reversible seat (5) along with the stroller frame, irrespective of the reversible seat's orientation. An associated reversible seat structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNITRON ENTERPRISES ZHUHAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiuping Liu
  • Patent number: 9260129
    Abstract: A ski attachment device for a portable cooler is disclosed. The ski attachment device includes a u-shaped rod that is positioned over a vertically extendable handle of the cooler. The rod is attached to a support member at the lower free ends of the rod. The free ends of the rod include threaded portions over which knobs are attached to secure the support member in a particular vertical position with respect to the cooler. A wide ski is hingedly attached to the support member. The ski is pivotally positioned in a lowered position so that the curved portion of the ski is situated beneath wheels attached to the under side of the cooler. The ski is also positionable in a raised position. A flexible strap having a buckle is attached to the support member and encircles the periphery of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9260130
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes: a telescopic mechanism that can move a steering column in a front and rear direction of a vehicle; a tilt mechanism that can tilt the steering column in a vertical direction of the vehicle; a driving mechanism that adjusts and transmits an output torque of a driving motor to a telescopic screw shaft that drives the telescopic mechanism and to a tilt screw shaft that drives the tilt mechanism provided in parallel with the telescopic screw shaft; and a switching mechanism that has a first clutch mechanism which connects and disconnects the driving mechanism and the tilt screw shaft, a second clutch mechanism which connects and disconnects the driving mechanism and the telescopic screw shaft, and a switching motor that switches a clutch mechanism between the first clutch mechanism and the second clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taichi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9260131
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an adjustable shroud which at least partially surrounds a steering shaft and a clamp mechanism operable between a clamped position in which the adjustable shroud part is locked in position and an unclamped position in which the adjustable shroud part can be moved to set the reach and/or rake of the steering column assembly, in which the clamp mechanism comprises a clamp pin, a locking handle and a cam mechanism fitted to the clamp pin, in which the cam mechanism comprises first and second cam portions which can be moved relative to each other by operation of the locking handle to vary the overall length of the cam mechanism, the unclamped position of the cam mechanism being defined by contact of a first end stop of the first cam portion with a second end stop of the second cam portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wilkes, Niclas Davies
  • Patent number: 9260132
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes: a steering angle zero point detection unit configured to detect a zero point of a steering angle of a steering wheel; a history recording unit configured to record a detection history of the zero point; a characteristic variation determination unit configured to determine whether or not characteristic variation has occurred in a steering transmission system on the basis of the detection history; a pressure measurement unit configured to measure a pressure in one of a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder that apply a braking force to a vehicle wheel; and a prohibition unit configured to prohibit for a predetermined prohibition period one of detection of the zero point by the steering angle zero point detection unit and updating of the detection history by the history recording unit, when the pressure equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryouchi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9260133
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction-stir welded structure in which corrosion resistance of a peeling region is ensured when a film coating is peeled away from a steel sheet. In a sub-frame, an aluminum alloy member is laid over a steel member that has been electropainted, and the overlaid part where the member is laid over is friction-stir welded at inner and outer welds. The aluminum alloy member has an aluminum layered part which together with the steel member constitutes the overlaid part due to being laid over the steel member, and aluminum extending parts provided to the aluminum layered part. The aluminum extending parts have aluminum extending parts that are orthogonal to the extending direction of the inner and outer welds and that protrude outward from the steel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunehisa Hata, Toshikazu Hirobe
  • Patent number: 9260134
    Abstract: A pair of right-and-left extension members which deform and absorb an impact at a vehicle frontal collision, in cooperation with a pair of front side frames, are provided. The extension members are configured to be joined to respective middle portions, in a height direction, of a pair of tower portions of a sub frame at their rear end portions, to project forward, bending outward at a level below the front side frames, and to be comprised of a pair of members having a closed cross section, respectively. The rear end portions of the extension members joined to the tower portions are positioned so that a center line of a longitudinal direction of each of the extension members at the rear end portion is located at an inward position relative to a center line of a standing-vertical direction of each of the tower portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Asano, Shohei Yoshida, Fumitaka Andou, Hiroaki Takeshita, Ippei Kuroda, Shun Teshigahara
  • Patent number: 9260135
    Abstract: A deflector member comprises opposing first and second walls and a plurality of sidewalls arranged adjacent to each other and between the first and second walls, the sidewalls having a cross-sectional shape between the first and second walls that is at least three-sided. The deflector member is adapted to mount to a vehicle frame. The deflector member is further adapted to extend distally from the first wall to the second wall relative to the vehicle frame, and away from a centerline of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ramanjaneya Reddy Butukuri, Yi Tony Qu, Chris Stephen O'Connor, Ahteram Khan
  • Patent number: 9260136
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle lower portion structure having: a vehicle skeleton member that extends along a vehicle longitudinal direction at a vehicle transverse direction outer side of a vehicle front portion; a sub-frame that is provided at a vehicle lower side of the vehicle skeleton member, and that has a side portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; plural joining members that join the side portion of the sub-frame to the vehicle skeleton member at two or more locations in the vehicle longitudinal direction; and a rotating mechanism that is provided at a mounting portion of a front side joining member that, among the plural joining members, is positioned at a front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and, when a load from a vehicle front side is applied to the vehicle skeleton member, the rotating mechanism rotates the front side joining member such that an upper side in a vehicle vertical direction of the mounting portion moves relatively toward a vehicle rear side a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Miyagano, Kenji Sato, Tsutomu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9260137
    Abstract: A frame body (1) includes a first surface (11), a second surface (12), and two side surfaces (13). Each of the side surfaces (13) has a single bent part or two or more bent parts (14). The first surface (11) and an outer part (13a) of each of the side surfaces (13) form an angle of approximately 90 degrees or larger than 90 degrees inside the closed cross-section in the cross-section of the frame body (1). At least one of the side surfaces (13) includes a low-strength part (17) closer to the second surface (12) and a high-strength part (18) closer to the first surface (11), and includes a strength transition part (19) located closer to the second surface (12) than a specific bent part (the bent part (14) which is closest to the second surface (12) and protrudes inward of a closed cross-section).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Honda
  • Patent number: 9260138
    Abstract: Vehicle structures for dissipating energy associated with a collision are described herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a first side support extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a second side support extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and spaced apart from the first side support in a vehicle lateral direction that is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a cross-vehicle stabilizing structure including a cross-vehicle stabilizer portion extending between the first side support and the second side support, the cross-vehicle stabilizer portion including a first stabilizer portion coupled to the first side support at a first securement location, and a second stabilizer portion coupled to the second side support at a second securement location, where the second stabilizer portion is pivotally coupled to the first stabilizer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos M. Briceno, Maurice P. Silva, Jonathan R. Young, Adam D. Holmstrom, Naipaul D. Ramoutar
  • Patent number: 9260139
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover assembly including a cover, a support frame and a securing plate having at least one locking member. The securing plate preferably includes two locking members each of which is biased toward a first position in which the respective locking members prevent the securing plate from disengaging from a closed position with respect to the support frame. The locking members are preferably interconnected to opposite ends of a draw cord. The draw cord preferably has a pull loop so that the draw cord can be pulled in order to draw the respective locking members away from the respective first positions, so that each locking member resides in a second position, which allows the securing plate to disengage from the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 9260140
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method of collision measurement for a vehicle. According to one embodiment, a plurality of photonic crystals configured to produce a color change state are distributed on an area of the vehicle. Furthermore, a location tag is also positioned on the vehicle for providing mapping data relating to the location of the photonic crystals along said vehicle. Upon receiving external crash impact, a measurement of force is computed based on the color change state of at least one photonic crystal caused by the crash impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventor: Babak Makkinejad
  • Patent number: 9260141
    Abstract: A spare tire carrier for use with a truck, comprising a frame attachable underneath a truck, the frame having arms and a flat bar sized and shaped to hold a tire and a frame plate holding the frame to the truck, a rod attached in between the arms, the rod having a pole that rotates on the rod from a resting position to an upright position, wherein in the upright position the pole can hold a tire, a locking mechanism having a swing arm and a lock, the swing arm attached to the frame plate and is removably connected to the top of the pole, wherein the swing arm and pole are locked together with a lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Randy Prejeant
  • Patent number: 9260142
    Abstract: A container transport system includes a gooseneck assembly for towing by a medium duty truck and a dolly for supporting the weight of an intermodal freight container. The gooseneck assembly includes a pair of platforms each configured to support a corner casting of the transported intermodal freight container and having a post matingly received through a bottom orifice of the supported corner casting. A hoist assembly is provided to lift an end of the intermodal freight container for placing the container on the dolly or removing the container from the dolly. A pair of barrel slide bolt assemblies is provided for securing the intermodal freight container in place atop the platforms. In order to facilitate placement of the dolly beneath the freight container, the dolly also includes a gin pole assembly, which is stowable in a recess so as to not interfere with placement of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Ralph M. Marcantonio
  • Patent number: 9260143
    Abstract: A floating seal (23) is provided between a mounting bracket (12) fixed to a side frame (6) and a roller (15) rotatable with respect to this mounting bracket (12), and lubricant oil (L) collected in the roller (15) is sealed by this floating seal (23). On the other hand, an air permeable plug (31) provided with an air permeable member (34) made of a porous material of interconnected cells is provided on a lid member (17) of the roller (15), air and/or water vapor is made to flow between the inside and the outside of the roller (15) and flow of lubricant oil (L) and/or rainwater and dusts is prevented by the air permeable member (34) of the air permeable plug (31). As a result, the pressure of the inside and the pressure of the outside of the roller (15) can be made equal all the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Akita, Shigeyuki Sakurai, Yuuji Igawa
  • Patent number: 9260144
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lower track for mounting rubber pads on a track shoe to be attachable and detachable after assembling a steel plate which is adhered with divisionally formed rubber pads as a single unit without additionally perforating coupling through-holes in the track shoe when the rubber pad which forms the lower track and the track shoe which is formed of a metal material are coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Kyung-Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 9260145
    Abstract: A track assembly having a carriage with frames that support a plurality of idler and bogey wheels. A portion of one of the frames is telescopically received within a portion of the other frame. A tensioning apparatus is connected to the frames so that they are adjustable relative to each other. Each carriage may include an offset hub support frame that includes an aperture that rotatably receives a spindle of an adaptor. The adaptor includes a peripheral flange to which a segmented sprocket may be connected, and a ring extension that may be connected to a wheel hub of an irrigation vehicle. A flexible endless track, that is entrained about the wheels and the sprocket may be provided with one or more cleats that are removably connected to the flexible, endless track, with each cleat including a ground engaging member that serves to increase the traction of the endless track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Ronald S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9260146
    Abstract: A system for installing a continuous track on a wheel assembly of a heavy-equipment machine, broadly including an extension assembly with proximal and distal ends; a base assembly removeably connected to the wheel assembly, which functions to provide foundational support for the remaining components of the system; a support assembly for maintaining a portion of the extension assembly properly in position during installation of the continuous track, and an installation bracket assembly attached to the distal end of the extension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Bair Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Bair
  • Patent number: 9260147
    Abstract: A dynamic predictor usable for rapid and accurate calculation of joint commands of an articulated dynamical mechanism describes the relationship between the joints in the form of a differential equation. The predictor solves this differential equation for predicted joint states by fitting a polynomial equation having free parameters describing the predicted joint states to the differential equations by minimizing the differential equation residuals. This minimization employs a series expansion allowing algorithmic differentiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Paul H. Milenkovic
  • Patent number: 9260148
    Abstract: A light unit for a bicycle includes a main light which has a detector and a micro-calculator located therein. The detector is electrically connected to the micro-calculator. The detector detects the turning angle and the lateral force of the bicycle when the bicycle turns, and sends the turning angle and the lateral force to the micro-calculator. Two secondary lights are located on two sides of the main light. Each of the two secondary lights is electrically connected to the micro-calculator which controls the operation of each of the two secondary lights to provide wider illumination when the bicycle turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Wen-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9260149
    Abstract: A canopy structure comprising a framework which includes a pair of spacedly disposed, curved tubes, a connecting member disposed between the respective forward ends of the two tubes, and a cross-member connectedly disposed between the two tubes at the highest point thereof. A forward horizontal beam is mounted on the cross-member and a rear horizontal beam is mounted at a position between the two tubes and to the rear of the forward horizontal beam. An adhesive strip is disposed upon each tube by enveloping means, and forward and rear glass panels are fixedly arranged on the canopy structure by means of said adhesive strips and by the forward and rear horizontal beams respectively. Also disclosed are a canopy assembly structure using a fixed column to fixedly connect one component having a metallic spacer with spacing holes to another component having mounting holes, and a cradle-type vehicle frame having a backrest framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Suzhou Eagle Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xueqing Zhang, Anding Zhu, Xue Li
  • Patent number: 9260150
    Abstract: A detachable foot rest for a motorcycle to detachably connect to a permanently connected foot rest may include a first mirror side member, a center member connected to the first mirror side member and a second mirror side member connected to the center member. The first mirror side member may include a first depression, and the second mirror side member may include a mirror first depression. The first depression and the mirror first depression may cooperate with a leading section of the permanently connected foot rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Marjan Majcen, Martin Vehovar