Patents Issued in December 6, 2016
  • Patent number: 9511606
    Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided, which is configured to acquire gap information related to a gap between an ink discharging surface and a recording sheet in each individual position of top-formed positions and bottom-formed positions within a predetermined wave-shape generating range, identify, when the predetermined wave-shape generating range includes a partial range in which the recording sheet is not placed, a top-formed position where the gap information has not been acquired and a bottom-formed position where the gap information has not been acquired, within the partial range, complement the unacquired gap information in the identified top-formed position with a value determined based on the respective pieces of gap information acquired in other top-formed positions, and complement the unacquired gap information in the identified bottom-formed position with a value determined based on the respective pieces of gap information acquired in other bottom-formed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Arakane
  • Patent number: 9511607
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a printhead and a detector configured to generate an electronic signal indicative of an increase in height in a portion of a media before such portion of the media passes the printhead. The imaging device also includes a vacuum source operable to pull the portion of the media having the increase in height away from the printhead so the media does not impact the printhead. The vacuum source is positioned below an opening in a platen opposite the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jason M. LeFevre
  • Patent number: 9511608
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a control section, a conveyance section, a recording head, a gap forming section, and a negative pressure applying section. The gap forming section is disposed upstream of the recording head in a conveyance direction of a recording medium to form a narrow gap with a conveying surface of the conveyance section. The negative pressure applying section applies negative pressure to the narrow gap. The control section adjusts a distance across the narrow gap in the direction perpendicular to the conveying surface to a first distance in image formation. Upon receiving an instruction to clean the gap forming section, the control section adjusts the distance across the narrow gap in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface to a second distance that is greater than the first distance and causes the negative pressure applying section to start applying negative pressure to the narrow gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hidenori Takenaka, Takeshi Watanabe, Jumpei Hobo, Tomohisa Soda, Shinji Yoshinaga, Hiroatsu Tamai, Satoshi Tsunemi
  • Patent number: 9511609
    Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall configured to expose a tape guided in the housing along the tape feed path. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path to the tape feed exit, a first aperture, formed on the front wall above a first centerline bisecting the front wall into top and bottom halves, and to the right of a second centerline on the front wall bisecting the housing into right and left halves, and a second aperture, formed on the front wall to the left of the second centerline, wherein at least a portion of the second aperture is below the first centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Takashi Horiuchi, Akira Sago, Yasuhiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9511610
    Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially in the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and tape type indicator portions on the front wall. A combination of the tape type indicator portions forms a pattern corresponding to a type of the tape included at least partially in the housing. The tape type indicator portions are positioned to oppose corresponding ones of tape type detecting switches, with a first subset of the tape type indicator portions having a first elevation and a second subset of the tape type indicator portions having a second elevation. At least two portions from the second subset of the tape type indicator portions are located in a common trench in the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Takashi Horiuchi, Akira Sago
  • Patent number: 9511611
    Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a tape feed exit located on the front wall, and an arm portion formed by the front wall and an arm rear surface behind the front wall. The arm portion partially surrounds an opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface behind the front wall, and a tape feed path passes through the arm portion from an upstream portion of the arm portion to a downstream end of the arm portion. The tape cassette also has a tape included at least partially in the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and a first aperture formed on a bottom edge of the front wall and positioned downstream of an upstream end of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Teruo Imamaki, Takashi Horiuchi, Akira Sago, Yasuhiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9511612
    Abstract: A recording medium including, in the following order, a base, an ink-receiving layer containing inorganic particles, and a protective layer. The protective layer contains colloidal silica, gas phase process silica, and at least one kind of particles selected from resin particles and wet process silica particles. The average particle size of the at least one kind of particles is 1.5 ?m or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuro Noguchi, Yasuhiro Nito, Kazuhiko Araki
  • Patent number: 9511613
    Abstract: A method for applying at least one strip section to a flat product composition wherein a strip section or an individual element of a specified length is provided and subsequently applied around a selected edge of the product composition, in a perpendicular manner with respect to said edge so as to rest against the product composition. A reliable operation that is independent of the type of the strip is achieved in that the selected edge of the product composition is moved forward along a transporting path, the strip section is held ready at a specified point of the transporting path so as to intersect the transporting path, the selected edge of the product composition is moved past the specified point, and at the same time the selected edge drives the strip section that is held ready.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Patent number: 9511614
    Abstract: A water-based inkjet ink for tampering prevention which readily allows detection of evidence of tampering by visual inspection using a variety of organic solvents on the written content of a printed article for financial securities or the like, a method for inkjet printing using the same, and a printed article. The water-based inkjet ink for tampering detection contains at least one type of disperse or oil-soluble dye which includes no cyano groups or azo groups, at least one type of dispersing agent, at least one type of water-soluble organic solvent and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON KAYAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Suzuki, Tadahiko Tabe, Yoshiki Akatani
  • Patent number: 9511615
    Abstract: A binder clip includes a clamping member of spring steel having jaws interconnected by a transverse portion, and a pair of handles each formed of two legs mounted at spaced positions to adjacent the free ends of the jaws. A portion of one leg of one handle extends adjacent one edge of a jaw of the clamping member to adjacent the transverse portion, where another portion of the leg is directed inwardly; and a portion of the other leg of that handle extends adjacent the other edge of the jaw of the clamping member to adjacent the transverse portion, where another portion of the leg is directed inwardly. There is thus provided a space between the two legs so that an element such as a label holder can be mounted on the jaw of the clamping member, without interference from the legs of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Kurt Isserstedt
  • Patent number: 9511616
    Abstract: A stair-step, expandable file folder is disclosed, in which each pocket in the folder has the same depth, rather than the back pockets being deeper than the front pockets. The folder is formed from a unitary insert divider web. The divider is suspended above the floor of the folder by tabs which are affixed to the folder walls and by attachment to the inside from and back panels of the folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Glenda L. Young, Daniel Seleski
  • Patent number: 9511617
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages has a housing and pivoting hinge plates supported by the housing. The mechanism has an actuator mounted on the housing and moveable between open and closed positions to pivot the hinge plates and thereby open and close rings of the mechanism. An elongate travel bar is operatively connected to the actuator for movement of the travel bar longitudinally in the housing by the actuator. The travel bar has a plurality of locking elements and a cam. The locking elements are positioned to block pivoting movement of the hinge plates when the actuator and rings are in the closed position and the locking elements are in a locking position. The cam extends into an opening in the hinge plates. The cam helps the actuator drive pivoting movement of the hinge plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: World Wide Stationary Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Cheng
  • Patent number: 9511618
    Abstract: A note paper dispensing writing instrument having inner and outer tubular shells telescopically assembled with a partially coiled pad of paper inserted within the inner shell. Axial aligned slots in the shells receive free edges of the paper projecting therethrough in fanned relationship. The opposite edges of the paper being lightly glued together. An elongated member in the center of the coil is flexed to engage a sheet of paper being withdrawn and aids in detaching the paper at its glued edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Frerderick Pesce
  • Patent number: 9511619
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for hot stamping at least part of at least one band-shaped stamping foil (10, 20) onto a band-shaped substrate (30), as well as a corresponding hot stamping device. The substrate (30) to be stamped is brought together with one stamping foil (10, 20) of the at least one stamping foils (10, 20). The substrate (30) and the stamping foil (10, 20) resting thereon are guided along the periphery of a first heated stamping roller wherein, in a first stamping, a first stamping layer is stamped onto the substrate (30). The once-stamped substrate (30) is guided away from the first stamping roller and again brought together with the same or a further stamping foil (10, 20) of the at least one stamping foils (10, 20) after the first stamping roller in the direction of travel (33) of the substrate (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Wening, Peter Muhlfelder, Klaus Pforte
  • Patent number: 9511620
    Abstract: A hot-stamping device (1) is described, having a stamping device (2) for transferring a transfer layer (15u) disposed on a carrier layer (15t) of a hot-stamping foil (15) on to a substrate (14). The hot-stamping device comprises a heatable stamping roller (11) and a counter-pressure roller (12), between which a stamping gap (16) is realized, and comprising a separating device (3), disposed downstream, for separating the carrier layer (15t) from the transfer layer (15u) transferred on to the substrate (14). A flat support element (18) is disposed under the stamped substrate (17), between the stamping gap (16) and the separating device (3), directly adjoining the stamping gap (16) or at a distance of <1 mm from the stamping gap (16) or overlapping the stamping gap (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Triepel, Ralph Bieber
  • Patent number: 9511621
    Abstract: A heat transfer label comprising a support portion and a transfer portion for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article. Heat is applied to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the article. The support portion comprises a release layer including a synthetic wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Multi-Color Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Laprade
  • Patent number: 9511622
    Abstract: A wheel is provided which makes the removal of sand easy at the time of manufacturing the wheel by casting, while realizing the reduction of a weight of the wheel of the vehicle. The wheel of a vehicle includes boss portions which extend in the wheel axial direction from intermediate portions of spoke portions, in the wheel radial direction, and on which a brake disc is mountable. The boss portions are formed with boss inner hollow portions which are continuously formed with spoke inner hollow portions of the spoke portions. Through opening portions which penetrate the spoke portions in the wheel circumferential direction are formed on a portion of the spoke portions on which the boss portions are formed, at the position outside the boss portions, in the wheel radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryotaro Urano, Kazuhiro Takatsuka
  • Patent number: 9511623
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel disk and a manufacturing method thereof is provided. The vehicle wheel disk is manufactured from a disk material of a flat plate. The vehicle wheel disk includes a hub coupling portion, a disk flange and a hat. The hat includes a hat top protruding outwardly in an axial direction of the disk, a radially inner hat portion connecting the hat top and the hub coupling portion, and a radially outer hat portion connecting the hat top and the disk flange. In the vehicle wheel disk, a first thickness-reduced portion is smaller in thickness than the disk material that is formed at the radially outer hat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOPY KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kishiro Abe, Ryo Nishibayashi, Takamitsu Takano, Kazunari Sano, Yuta Isomura
  • Patent number: 9511624
    Abstract: The present invention relates to attaching aerodynamic wheel covers to the wheel of a truck or other heavy duty vehicle, and to a method of installation that does not require the removal of the nuts retaining the wheel to the hub of the axle and allows the air pressure of tires on such wheels to be easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RealWheels Corporation
    Inventor: John Polka
  • Patent number: 9511625
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire (1) is provided including an attachment body (11) attached to an axle, an outer rim body (13) configured to surround the attachment body (11) from the outside in the tire radial direction, and a connecting member (15) configured to connect the attachment body (11) and the outer rim body (13) in a displaceable manner, wherein, in the connecting member (15), a size of one end section (15a) connected to the outer rim body (13) in the tire width direction (H) is larger than a size of the other end section (15b) connected to the attachment body (11) in the tire width direction (H).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Nishida, Akihiko Abe
  • Patent number: 9511626
    Abstract: The invention includes a rim for a cycle wheel, having a U-shaped radial cross section, with two lateral sidewalls and a bridge connecting the sidewalls and located so as to be opposite an axis rotation of the wheel. The sidewalls each define a planar braking surface, adapted to cooperate with a brake pad. The height of at least one braking surface, measured radially, is not constant over the circumference of the rim and has at least one variation in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MAVIC S.A.S.
    Inventors: Bérenger Alexandre, Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Patent number: 9511627
    Abstract: A hub-bearing unit for rotatably is provided with a stationary radially outer ring, a radially inner ring, an annular gasket, and a second metal insert. The radially inner ring includes a flange for mounting a wheel and a sealing device having a first metal insert, annular shaped, steadily fixed at an end portion of the outer ring facing the flange. The annular gasket includes a plurality of elastomeric sealing lips and steadily fixed to the metal insert. The second metal insert is steadily fixed on an axial cylindrical surface of the inner ring. The gasket presents a first axial contacting lip. The first axial contacting lip slidingly contacts a substantially frustoconical portion of the metal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Fausto Morello, Andrea Serafini
  • Patent number: 9511628
    Abstract: A hub unit is provided with a hub made of an aluminum alloy for plastic processing, which forms, in a single piece, an axially extending cylindrical portion and a radial flange; two bearing rings are mounted axially aligned around the cylindrical portion, an axially inner edge of the cylindrical portion is plastically deformed in a radially outer direction against the axially inner bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Davide Antonio Olivieri, Laura Sguotti
  • Patent number: 9511629
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a recess-projection fitting structure in which a hub wheel and a shaft section, which is fitted in a hole of the hub wheel of the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint, are unitized together. In the recess-projection fitting structure, entire fitting regions among projections on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and recesses, which fit on the projections, are brought into intimate contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano, Mitsuru Umekida, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami
  • Patent number: 9511630
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to adequately control relationship between a cross sectional width SW and an outer diameter OD of a pneumatic radial tire for a passenger vehicle. Specifically, a ground contact surface 1 of the tread of the pneumatic radial tire for a passenger car of the present invention is provided with either, as a groove, only at least one main groove 2a extending in the tread circumferential direction or, as grooves, only the main groove 2a and at least one auxiliary groove 2b other than the main groove, wherein the auxiliary groove has a groove width?2 mm in a tread widthwise region and a negative ratio of the main groove 2a is in the range of 12% to 20% (inclusive of 12% and 20%).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shintaro Hatanaka, Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Isao Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 9511631
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an attachment body (11) attached to an axle, a ring member (14) including an inner rim (12) fitted onto the attachment body (11) and an outer rim (13) configured to surround the inner rim (12) from the outside in a tire radial direction, and a plurality of connecting members (15) disposed between the inner rim (12) and the outer rim (13) in a tire circumferential direction and configured to connect the rims (12) and (13) to each other, wherein at least a portion of the ring member (14) and the plurality of connecting members (15) are integrally formed of a synthetic resin material having a bending modulus of elasticity obtained through a 3-point bending test pursuant to ISO 178 of 300 MPa or more and a melting point of 120° C. or more and 350° C. or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fudemoto, Ryuji Izumoto, Hidefumi Kotsubo
  • Patent number: 9511632
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an attachment body (11) attached to an axle, a ring member (14) including an inner rim (12) fitted onto the attachment body (11) and an outer rim (13) configured to surround the inner rim (12) from the outside in a tire radial direction, and a plurality of connecting members (15) disposed between the inner rim (12) and the outer rim (13) in a tire circumferential direction and configured to connect the rims (12) and (13) to each other, wherein at least a portion of the ring member (14) and the plurality of connecting members (15) are integrally formed of a synthetic resin material having a bending modulus of elasticity at ?20° C. obtained through a 3-point bending test that is two times or less a bending modulus of elasticity at 60° C. obtained through the 3-point bending test pursuant to ISO 178.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fudemoto, Ryuji Izumoto, Hidefumi Kotsubo
  • Patent number: 9511633
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for managing an interface between a machine or work vehicle and a surface that the machine/work vehicle travels on in order to provide an optimum work performance level that balances fuel efficiency and surface adversity. Fleet management and reporting capabilities pertaining to such interface management are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Larry Lee Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9511634
    Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure control system includes a road sensor configured to acquire road data regarding a road at an advanced location ahead of a current location of a vehicle; a pressure regulator configured to control the air pressure within a tire of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control operation of the pressure regulator and vary the air pressure within the tire based on the road data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, William D. Duncan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9511635
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly for use in automatic tire inflation systems. The apparatus comprises a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and having the drive axle extend therethrough. A rotor is mountable in the axle assembly for rotation with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base and extending about the drive axle. An annular sealing member in sealing engagement with the rotor and the base is disposed within the air chamber and is rotatable with the rotor and with respect to the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air in a radial direction into the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Airgo IP, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle J. Berkness, Phillip K. Berkness
  • Patent number: 9511636
    Abstract: A joint structure for an air nozzle contains a valve joint connected on an air nozzle to fill air, with the air nozzle including outer threads defined around an outer peripheral side thereof. The valve joint includes a body having a hole defined therein, an inlet communicating with the hole, and at least one orifice penetrating from an exterior environment to the hole. At least one limiting member is secured and moves in the at least one orifice and has meshing teeth formed on one end thereof to correspond to the hole. The meshing teeth engage with the outer threads of the air nozzle. The at least one limiting member has a defining segment arranged on another end thereof. A controlling assembly is fitted on the body and is used to control the at least one limiting member to move in the at least one orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Diro Tech Corp.
    Inventor: Chung-Tsun Kuo
  • Patent number: 9511637
    Abstract: A removable guiding apparatus, placed on a trailer hitch extension, that will force the tongue of a trailer over the trailer hitch ball. This system is designed such that the positioning components will force the trailer tongue into position over the hitch ball should the tongue and hitch ball be slightly out of alignment during the backing of the vehicle toward the trailer tongue. These positioning components can be easily placed upon and removed from a plate that is permanently attached to the underside of the trailer hitch extension and hitch ball. The ability to remove these positioning components allows for a wide swing of the trailer tongue during towing as well as unobstructed access to the hitch area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Phillip Clark Frey
  • Patent number: 9511638
    Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attach to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 9511639
    Abstract: A vehicle drive unit and land vehicle comprising the drive unit are disclosed. Each drive unit comprises a pair of longitudinally aligned and longitudinally spaced apart ground wheels. The land vehicle comprises a pair of drive units on opposite sides thereof. The drive units comprise an electric motor for powering the pair of wheels and a gear drive assembly comprising structure for disengaging the electric motor from the ground wheels. The drive units may be remotely controllable, may be water-tight and may be floatable. The vehicle comprising the drive unit may be amphibious.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ontario Drive and Gear, Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Visscher
  • Patent number: 9511640
    Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 2, an amphibian operable in land and marine modes, the amphibian comprising a hull, at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) provided in the hull, and at least one retractable wheel or track assembly at least partially located in the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay). The hull is a planning hull, and the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) is provided in the front half of the hull of the amphibian. The amphibian further comprises at least one conduit which opens, or is provided with an entry which opens, into or at the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) and is configured for channeling, in use, fluid away from the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Gibbs Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Alan Timothy Gibbs, Simon James Longdill, Stephen James Bailey
  • Patent number: 9511641
    Abstract: An axle connection, in particular for a utility vehicle, includes an axle tube receptacle which has a longitudinal axis which is oriented parallel to an axle tube arrangeable thereon, at least one connecting region, in particular for connection to a longitudinal link, and a support section, in particular for the arrangement of a tail end, wherein the axle connection has an axis of rotation which intersects the longitudinal axis, the connecting region is configured symmetrically with respect to a plane of rotation which is spanned by the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis, and wherein the support section is offset transversely with respect to the plane of rotation at least in regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Drewes, Federik Biewer
  • Patent number: 9511642
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle (UV), with a vehicle frame (2) and at least one vehicle axle (5) supported relative to the vehicle frame (2) by one or more connecting rods (6; 7). The connecting rod or rods (6; 7) is/are linked to the vehicle axle (5) by at least one articulated arrangement (8) which is connected, by connecting elements (11) that pass through contact surfaces (10; 10a), to a support block (12) fixed on the axle (5). The axis (13) of each connecting element (11) extends through the contact surface (10; 10a), through which the respective connecting element (11) passes, at an angle (?) different from 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Frank Scheper, Jens Eismann, Friedhelm Langhorst, Sören Knopp
  • Patent number: 9511643
    Abstract: An end member for a gas spring assembly is dimensioned to receivingly engage an end of a flexible wall. The end member can be formed from polymeric material and can include a side wall receiving the end of the flexible wall. The end member can also include a base wall extending transverse to the side wall and dimensioned to abuttingly engage a jounce bumper of the gas spring assembly. The end member can include a mounting ridge or a mounting channel for engaging an associated structural component. A gas spring assembly including such an end member is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Ratz, Stephen C. Street, Paul P. Koeske
  • Patent number: 9511644
    Abstract: Self-propelled liquid dispensing equipment having ground engaging wheels and an active trailing link suspension system in which either suspension struts or air struts control suspension travel. A liquid pressure transducer is connected to a liquid reservoir to provide a control input that varies the assist given by the suspension struts or air strut in direct proportion to the quantity of liquid. A given suspension travel is maintained regardless of the quantity of liquid carried by the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Aaron R. Tollefsrud, Bruce G. Bastin
  • Patent number: 9511645
    Abstract: A multi-mode vehicle thermal management system is provided that allows efficient thermal communication between a refrigerant-based thermal control loop and three non-refrigerant-based thermal control loops, where one of the non-refrigerant-based loops provides temperature control over the vehicle's passenger cabin, a second of the non-refrigerant-based control loops is thermally coupled to the vehicle's battery system and the third of the non-refrigerant-based control circuits is thermally coupled to the vehicle's drive train. The refrigerant-based control loop may be operated either in a heating mode or a cooling mode and is coupled to the vehicle's HVAC system using a refrigerant-air heat exchanger, and to one or more of the non-refrigerant-based control loops using refrigerant-fluid heat exchangers. A valve assembly is used to couple and/or decouple the battery and drive train thermal control loops, thereby allowing these two thermal control loops to operate either in parallel or in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventor: Vincent George Johnston
  • Patent number: 9511646
    Abstract: A sensor module for integration within a seat assembly is provided. The sensor module comprises a temperature and/or humidity sensor (21) and a separate sensor support (51) for mechanically supporting said temperature and/or humidity sensor. The sensor support is configured to be arranged on or in a support layer below an air-permeable cover of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Christoph Müller, Michael Götze, Markus Graf
  • Patent number: 9511647
    Abstract: In an air conditioner for a vehicle with an equipment controlled in accordance with a traveling state of the vehicle, a first heater is disposed to heat air to be blown into a vehicle compartment by using a coolant of the equipment as a heat source, and a second heater is adapted as an auxiliary heater to further heat the air heated by the first heater. A heating capacity of the first heater is controlled such that a temperature of the equipment is approached to a predetermined temperature when the thermal fluid after passing through the first heater returns the equipment, and a heating capacity of the second heater is controlled such that a temperature of air to be blown into the vehicle compartment becomes a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michio Nishikawa, Nobuharu Kakehashi
  • Patent number: 9511648
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle heater that is capable of being easily manufactured and being miniaturized due to a decrease in a thickness by forming a heat generating part using a first support part (and a second support part) positioned perpendicularly to an air flow direction and having a plate form and is capable of improving heating performance by improving heat exchange performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jung Sam Gu, Kwang Hun Oh, Young-Ha Jeon, Jun Young Song, Hong-Young Lim
  • Patent number: 9511649
    Abstract: There are provided view adjustment areas respectively at an upper edge part, a lower edge part, and right-and-left side edge parts of a windshield glass, wherein the view adjustment areas are configured to be respectively switchable between in a transparent state in which forward visibility is ensured and in a translucent or non-transparent state in which the forward visibility is limited (for example, adhesion of a liquid-crystal film). Thereby, the size or the shape of the window-frame structure of the windshield glass which is physically unchangeable can be visually changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Okamoto, Takahide Nouzawa, Kazuo Nishikawa, Atsuhide Kishi, Takayoshi Nakamoto, Naoki Yamada, Hironobu Yonezawa, Toshihiro Yoshida, Hiroko Kajikawa, Masaki Chiba
  • Patent number: 9511650
    Abstract: A vehicle windshield includes a light passage control medium extending therealong. The medium responds to light source position to produce one or more opacity-controlled spots to at least partially block the light reaching a vehicle operator's/occupant's eyes. Optionally, an operator control may be adjusted by hand, foot, voice, or the like to adjust spot characteristics such as location, number, size, edge feathering, and the like. A detector to determine position of one or more vehicle operator eyes is also optional. The vehicle may be an on-road type like an automobile or truck, an off-road vehicle (such as dump truck, crane, backhoe, bulldozer, or cement truck), an aircraft (of the fixed wing and/or rotary wing type), a train (light or heavy rail, commuter or freight), any manner of racing vehicle or a motorcycle where a helmet worn by the operator includes the windshield and medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Bob Momot
  • Patent number: 9511651
    Abstract: A controller for an opening and closing member includes a driving mechanism, a detection portion, a control portion, and a determination portion. When the determination portion determines that the foreign matter exists in a period where the driving mechanism is operating, the control portion executes an interrupt operation to interrupt an operation of the driving mechanism. When the detection portion detects that the door is changed from the opening state to the closing state in a period from a time point before the determination portion determines that the foreign matter exists to a time point after the determination portion determines that the foreign matter exists, the control portion executes a restart operation to restart one of a first operation and a second operation that is the operation of the driving mechanism executed right before the interrupt operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Shibata
  • Patent number: 9511652
    Abstract: A plastic carrier plate for vehicle door is provided. The plastic carrier plate having: a channel structure molded into the plastic carrier plate, the channel structure having a pair channels integrally molded into the plastic carrier plate, wherein the channels provide structural reinforcement to the plastic carrier plate and the channels intersect each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Barr, Fred L. Sawgle, Kenneth M. Easter
  • Patent number: 9511653
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a sliding member, a check mechanism, and a lock-unlock switching mechanism. The check mechanism locks the forward and backward movement of the movable panel and brings the movable panel into a tilt-up state. The check mechanism includes a rotation check member having either an engagement groove or an engagement projection. When the movable panel moves to the tilt up state, the rotation check member is in a rotation position at which the rotation check member locks movement of the movable panel. In the tilt up state, when the sliding member moves further forward and then moves backward, the rotation check member pivots to move to a pivoting position at which the rotation check member unlocks movement of the movable panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Ide
  • Patent number: 9511654
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cord fixture for attachment to a cord. The cord fixture includes a body having at least one side wall, and a slot in the at least one side wall for retaining the cord therein when the cord is in a fixed condition. The slot has a neck portion and an enlarged end portion adjacent the neck portion. The neck portion is configured to guide the cord into the enlarged end portion such that the cord can be releasably retained within the enlarged end portion. The present invention is directed to the cord fixture for attachment to a cord attached to a tonneau cover for a trailer or vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TULLI PTY LTD
    Inventor: Graeme Breen
  • Patent number: 9511655
    Abstract: Specific elements of the Urb&GO ecosystem include a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that is convertible between a driveable mode and a stowable mode where the height of the roof area of the vehicle is lowered when the vehicle is stowed. The stowable mode reduces the volume of the BEV allowing for the storage of more vehicles per cubic feet of storage or parking space. The infrastructure for the BEV includes various configurations for charging and storage facilities. The charging facilities may include wind turbines; solar polar of other renewable power. The proposed Urb&GO concept reduces traffic and congestion and eliminates exhaust fumes reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The “Park & Ride” idea can be used to allow people to use Urb&GO Vehicles to commute to the city. Customer and public ownership and leasing study options are possible with this concept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Piergiovani Marzocca, Giorgio Gavitaghi