Patents Issued in April 11, 2017
  • Patent number: 9616919
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering device is provided comprising a supply port arrangement having a pressure port (P) and a tank port (5), a working port arrangement having two working ports (L, R), a main flow path (14) between the pressure port (P) and the working port arrangement, a return flow path (16) between the working port arrangement and the tank port (5), flow meter means (15) being arranged in said main flow path (14), an amplification flow path (17) being arranged in parallel to said main flow path (14), said amplification flow path (17) being connected to said main flow path (14) downstream said flow meter means (15) in a direction from said pressure port (P) to said working port arrangement. A risk of dangerous situations in case of jamming of the flow meter should be reduced. To this end pressure increasing means are provided increasing a pressure over said flow meter means (15) in case a flow through said main flow path (14) is blocked by said flow meter (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions APS
    Inventors: Niels Arbjerg, Rene Andersen
  • Patent number: 9616920
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a power steering motor assembly connected with the steerable vehicle wheels. A first pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle, during operation of the engine, to supply fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly. A second pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle, during operation of the engine. A valve connected with the power steering motor assembly and the second pump directs fluid flow from the second pump to at least one of the power steering motor assembly and reservoir during operation of both the first pump and the second pump. A pumping mechanism includes a first pumping area defining the first pump and a second pumping area defining the second pump. The first pumping area is smaller than the second pumping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Williams, Amine Nhila
  • Patent number: 9616921
    Abstract: A method of adjusting friction of an MDPS unit may include detecting road surface conditions of a road on which a vehicle travels; classifying the road on which the vehicle travels into a normal road, a low frictional road, a road having a first uneven road surface, and a road having a second uneven road surface; and reducing friction of the MDPS unit of the vehicle when the road on which the vehicle travels is determined as the road having the first uneven road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Bok Lee, Nam Young Kim, Do Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9616922
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle which, when a pair of left and right wheels are displaced with respect to the vehicle body due to the difference in drive force between the wheels, the two wheels are reliably displaced vertically in opposite directions such that neither wheel is disproportionately displaced and such that both wheels are steered during said displacement of both wheels vertically in opposite directions. An electric motor applies drive torque to the front wheels individually. A vehicle body frame supports the front wheel support member to allow rotation about a forwardly inclined steering axis (Lf). By allowing rotation of the front wheel support member about the steering axis (Lf), the front wheels are displaced relatively to one another vertically in opposite directions with respect to the vehicle body frame and the front wheels are steered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SEARCHWARE KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masanobu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9616923
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system for vehicles utilizes surface slope data to provide an alert to an operator if a problematic operating condition is present and/or imminent while the vehicle is backing up with a trailer attached thereto. The trailer backup assist system may also be configured to utilize surface slope data to control steering, braking, or other vehicle operating parameter while the vehicle is backing up with a trailer attached thereto. The trailer backup assist system may also be configured to generate a warning and/or control the vehicle if a jackknife condition is imminent. The surface slope data may be obtained utilizing sensors on the vehicle, or the surface slope data may be obtained utilizing a database that includes topographical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Roger Arnold Trombley, Hai Yu
  • Patent number: 9616924
    Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dorian Jack Spero, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Peter Gyumyeong Joh
  • Patent number: 9616925
    Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dorian Jack Spero, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Peter Gyumyeong Joh
  • Patent number: 9616926
    Abstract: A steering assistance apparatus and method for a vehicle controls a steering of the vehicle by cognizing a surrounding space at the time of entry and exit of the vehicle, in a parking lot in which an entry and exit road is designed in a helix form. The apparatus includes a sensor module configured to sense at least one of an entry of the vehicle into a parking lot, and an exit of the vehicle from the parking lot, and sense whether the driving road in which the vehicle is driving is a ramp. The apparatus includes a control module configured to control steering of the vehicle within the parking lot by enabling a ramp parking area steering assist mode based on the sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Dong Hun Yang
  • Patent number: 9616927
    Abstract: A parking assistance system includes: a light source provided at a parking position at which a power transmission coil is provided, and configured to emit light; at least two light reception units mounted away from each other on a vehicle including a power reception coil, and each configured to receive the light emitted from the light source by using a position sensitive detector; an incident-angle calculation unit configured to calculate the incident angle of the light on each of the light reception units; a distance calculation unit configured to calculate the distance between the parking position and the vehicle from the incident angles of the light on the light reception units; and a detection unit configured to detect that the vehicle has approached the parking position. The light volume of the light source is reduced when the vehicle has approached the parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 9616928
    Abstract: An autonomous steering system for a vehicle includes a park assist steering module configured to generate a first steering angle command across a communication network of the vehicle. A backup assist steering module is also configured to generate a second steering angle command across the communication network of the vehicle. A steering angle controller is configured to receive the first and second steering angle commands and generate a third steering angle command for controlling a steered wheel of the vehicle based on acceptable steering column torque conditions for the respective steering module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Darrel Alan Recker, Kirt L. Eschtruth, Bradley G. Hochrein, William James Bouse
  • Patent number: 9616929
    Abstract: A cross-member is provided for a vehicle having a frame structure including two longitudinal beams, wherein the cross-member includes a main portion and two end-sections wherein each end section includes an outer surface for facing an inner surface of a longitudinal frame beam wherein the cross-member includes at least one protrusion extending from the outer surface of the end-sections for being introduced into a hole or notch of the frame beam for forming a form-lock to one more components to be mounted to the longitudinal frame beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Göran Levin, Bengt Kölqvist
  • Patent number: 9616930
    Abstract: A suspension frame structure with which a high rigidity can be obtained with respect to load applied from suspension arms and an engine mount is provided. In a suspension frame structure according to the present invention, a suspension frame includes a right front fixing portion, a left front fixing portion, a right rear fixing portion and a left rear fixing portion to which a right suspension arm and a left suspension arm are fixed, contours of the right extension bracket and the left extension bracket on an interior side of a vehicle extend along an circular arc-shaped locus that connects side member fixing positions and an engine mount attachment portion, as viewed from an upper side of a vehicle, and tangents at front ends of the contours respectively pass through arm fixing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yousei Minoda, Takehiro Shoji
  • Patent number: 9616931
    Abstract: A releasable joint configured to attach a cradle to an underbody of a vehicle subjectable to an external force includes a fastener, an attachment portion of the cradle, and a partial sleeve. The fastener attaches the cradle to the underbody. The attachment portion of the cradle encircles the fastener and includes a breakaway portion that fractures when the external force exceeds a threshold force. The partial sleeve is attached to and disposed within the attachment portion of the cradle and partially encircles the fastener so as to form an opening that provides a horizontal pathway for the fastener to move through to exit the cradle when the breakaway portion fractures. The cradle may separate from the underbody at the releasable joint with no vertical motion of the cradle relative to the underbody when the external force exceeds the threshold force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Balbir S. Sangha, Zohir Molhem, Frederick M. Marquardt, Munho Kim
  • Patent number: 9616932
    Abstract: A chassis assembly of a vehicle includes an underbody and a subframe. A connector extends along an axis and connects the subframe and the underbody. A first wedge is fixed to one of the underbody and the subframe about the axis and a second wedge is fixed to the other of the underbody and subframe about the axis. The first wedge includes a protrusion and the second wedge defines a recess receiving the protrusion in a direction along the axis. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the subframe may rotate relative to the underbody. During this rotation the first wedge and second wedge rotate relative to each other and the protrusion moves along the recess to apply a tensile load to the connection to break the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Patent number: 9616933
    Abstract: A sub frame structure of a vehicle comprises a pair of right-and-left side members extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, to which a pair of right-and-left upper-side lower arm supporting rear wheels are pivotally connected, a rear cross member holding the vicinity of rear ends of the side members, and a front cross member interconnecting the side members in a vehicle width direction and being positioned in front of the rear cross member, being spaced apart from the rear cross member. The side member includes a front support bracket and a rear member holding member to which a front connection portion and a rear connection portion of the upper-side lower arm are connected, and a displacement portion to cause the rear member holding member to be displaced forward is provided between the front support bracket and the rear member holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9616934
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hybrid side sill for an automobile. The hybrid side sill may includes a pultruded profile part including a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer, which has a heat deflection temperature of at least 200 °C., and a terminal part including steel, which is attached to an end portion of the pultruded profile part. The present disclosure further provides an automobile body including such a hybrid side sill and also a method of manufacturing a hybrid side sill for an automobile. The manufacturing method includes a step for forming a pultruded profile part including a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer, which has a heat deflection temperature of at least 200 °C., and a step for attaching a terminal part made of steel to an end portion of the pultruded profile part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR EUROPE TECHNICAL CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Julien Richeton, Hermann Hansen, Stephane Ringenbach
  • Patent number: 9616935
    Abstract: Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of assembling a unibody structure of a vehicle includes assembling a door surround ring comprising a forward pillar portion, a roof rail portion, a rearward pillar portion, and a rocker portion. The method also includes, subsequent to assembling the door surround ring, installing the door surround ring into a vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring to the vehicle side outer panel. The method further includes, subsequent to installing the door surround ring into the vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring and the vehicle side outer panel to a vehicle interior structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler E. Schnug, Kuo Sun, Mark D. Clauser, Yizhou Fan, Donald E. Maynard, Kevin J. O'Beirne
  • Patent number: 9616936
    Abstract: There are provided a pair of roof rails, a roof panel, a front header, a pair of front pillars, a windshield provided between the front header and the front pillars, a front inclination roof reinforcement extending rearward, a front portion of which is joined to the front header, and partition members provided inside the front header at respective positions which do not overlap with, in a vehicle width direction, the front inclination roof reinforcement. Thereby, vertical vibrations of the front header caused by vertical vibrations of the windshield can be suppressed with a light structure, so that the comfortability of the ride (the vibration damping performance) can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakamura, Keizo Kawasaki, Kenichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9616937
    Abstract: In a vehicle rear structure that is one example of a vehicle body structure, a rear suspension tower that is made of die-cast aluminum and a wheel housing outer that is made of a metal material having a higher fatigue strength than the die-cast aluminum of the rear suspension tower, are joined together via an extension panel that is made of a metal material having a higher fatigue strength than the die-cast aluminum of the rear suspension tower. Further, a step portion is formed between an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion of the extension panel to form a deformable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9616938
    Abstract: A load bearing panel member having a first portion, a second portion, and an appearance surface portion is formed by injection molding such that the first portion includes a plurality of ribs forming a grid pattern on the first portion and another plurality of ribs extending toward the periphery of the first portion which may be non-orthogonal to each other and to the ribs forming the grid pattern. An internal channel may be formed within each of the non-orthogonal ribs by injecting a gas into the rib during the molding process forming the panel. An appearance surface portion attached to the first portion and second portion of the panel member forms an integral hinge between the first and second portions of the panel member. The panel member may be configured as a floor panel of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Century Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin A. Saur, Robert L. Becker
  • Patent number: 9616939
    Abstract: There are provided a pair of diagonally-extending inclination members which are formed in a substantially X shape in a plan view and provided above or below a floor panel. Each of the pair of inclination members is configured to interconnect a connection portion of one of right-and-left side sills and a hinge pillar and a connection portion of the other of the right-and-left side sills and a center pillar. Thereby, a load-transmission efficiency between a front end of the above-described one of the right-and-left side sills and the other of the right-and-left side sills can be improved in the SOL or vehicle side collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka Natsume, Kenji Maruyama, Hidetaka Goto, Isamu Kizaki, Satoshi Nakamura, Kohji Hashida
  • Patent number: 9616940
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has: an undercover that is fixed to a lower portion of a vehicle body, and that covers a bottom surface side of the vehicle body; rockers that extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction at both sides in a vehicle transverse direction at the lower portion of the vehicle body; and rocker moldings that are fixed to the lower portion of the vehicle body, and are disposed at vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the undercover, and are provided from vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the rockers to vehicle lower sides. End portions at the vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the undercover, and end portions at vehicle transverse direction inner sides of the rocker moldings, are superposed one on another at least in a vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Ito, Masahiro Ishikawa, Kenichiro Yoshimoto, Naoya Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9616941
    Abstract: An approach to designing lightweight metal-polymer composite structures in a manner that decomposes the structure into at least two parts. In one specific embodiment, the approach is a manufacturing process for a vehicle that includes attaching an impact beam to a vehicle structure. The process includes providing a vehicle structure including a back plate of the impact beam being made of a suitable material, such as a metal, that can withstand high temperature processes. A front part of the impact beam including a front plate and a polymer core is attached to the back plate. The back plate is designed to provide structural integrity that allows the vehicle structure to go through the high temperature processes and/or the vehicle structure provides structural integrity that allows the back plate to go through the one or more processes. The back plate is also designed to provide desired functional characteristics of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hanif Muhammad, Nilesh D. Mankame, Jan H. Aase
  • Patent number: 9616942
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a tractor, which is a work vehicle, being capable of providing an air-conditioner unit and rear working lights in the interior of a ceiling without protruding the rear end of the cabin. Regarding a tractor, which is a work vehicle in which a cabin for covering a drive operating unit is provided, the ceiling of the cabin is formed in an arc shape from the front end to the rear end thereof, and a radius of curvature of the arc shape is configured to increase as the ceiling advances from the front end to the rear end of the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Kawashiri, Kiyoyuki Okuyama
  • Patent number: 9616943
    Abstract: A method for increasing the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle includes monitoring operating condition of a vehicle, determining if a pre-selected event has occurred with respect to the operating condition of the vehicle, communicating a spacing value to a moving device and adjusting a spacing between a cab and a trailer of the vehicle based on the communicated spacing value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO GROUP NORTH AMERICA, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Lee Burchett, Arthur Nalson Fowler
  • Patent number: 9616944
    Abstract: A rear aerodynamic drag reduction system is configured to be coupled to a rear frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The rear drag reduction system includes a main wall panel configured to be coupled to the rear frame assembly to extend generally rearwardly of the trailer at least partially along a height of the trailer, and a secondary wall panel configured to be movably coupled to the rear swing door of the trailer to extend along a width of the trailer. The main wall panel and the secondary wall panel are each movable relative to the rear frame assembly between a deployed position and a stowed position. A locking mechanism of the drag reduction system is configured to releasably couple the main wall panel and the secondary wall panel to each other to prevent relative movement between the main wall panel and the secondary wall panel when the main and secondary wall panels are in their deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Leonard W. Baker, Melvin R. Norris
  • Patent number: 9616945
    Abstract: A nose fairing for a cargo enclosure may generally include a nose body configured to extend outwardly from a front wall of the enclosure. The nose body may include an upper nose wall, a lower nose wall and a leading edge region extending between the upper and lower nose walls. The upper nose wall may include a concave region that terminates at the leading edge region such that the nose fairing transitions directly from the concave region of the upper nose wall to the leading edge region. The lower nose wall may include a convex region that terminates at the leading edge region such that the nose fairing transitions directly from the convex region of the lower nose wall to the leading edge region. The leading edge region may define a radius of curvature that differs from a radius of curvature of the convex region of the lower nose wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SmartTruck Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Lorenzo Henderson, Stephen Alfred Wulff
  • Patent number: 9616946
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for trailer attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: RKB Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Randy K. Ballard
  • Patent number: 9616947
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle, such as tracked carrier to carry and enable use of work equipment (e.g., a crane, an aerial work platform, a drill rig, etc.) on various terrains, is provided. The tracked vehicle may comprise a frame comprising an equipment mounting area for mounting work equipment above the frame. The frame may comprise a pair of side rails that have a spacing in a widthwise direction of the tracked vehicle which corresponds to a standard truck frame side rail spacing (e.g., 34 inches). An operator cabin comprises a seating area which may comprise a single seat for an operator or a first seat for the operator and a second seat for a second person next to the operator. At least part of a power plant of the tracked vehicle may be mounted above the frame and behind the operator cabin. The tracked vehicle comprises a plurality of track assemblies for traction of the tracked vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PRINOTH LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Steben, Benoit Marleau
  • Patent number: 9616948
    Abstract: A robot has a track assembly having tracks configured to move the robot in a first direction and a wheel assembly having wheels configured to move the robot in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A toggling assembly switches between the track assembly and the wheel assembly. The robot modules can mate with each other. The robot module has an elongated shaft with a head and a narrow neck. The shaft extends outward from the side of the robot module. A mating robot module has a clamping mechanism with opposing clamps which in an opened position receive the shaft. In a closed position, the clamps define an opening which matches and engages the cross-section of the neck of the elongated shaft. The clamping mechanism has a drive mode to drive the module, a clamping mode for docking, and neutral mode for alignment prior to clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Pinhas Ben-Tzvi
  • Patent number: 9616949
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an articulated tracked vehicle comprising a front and a rear vehicle unit connected by means of a rigid load-carrying frame. The load-carrying frame is pivotally attached to the front vehicle unit about a substantially vertical front steering link and pivotally attached to the rear vehicle unit about a substantially vertical rear steering link. The vehicle further comprises control means arranged to steer the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the front vertical steering link and to steer the rear vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about the rear vertical steering link, wherein the control means is arranged such that the front and rear vehicle units are individually steerable relative to the load-carrying frame about their respective vertical steering links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Björn Hellholm, Björn Nordberg
  • Patent number: 9616950
    Abstract: A continuous track assembly having forward and rearward track engaging wheels with a intermediate track engaging wheel position between them. A continuous track extends over the wheels. A foldable frame journals the wheels and is displaceable between a position where the track engaging wheels are in substantially the same plane and another position in which they are in a triangular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Travis L. Harnetiaux
  • Patent number: 9616951
    Abstract: Undercarriage assembly components of track-type machines having a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and methods for forming such coated undercarriage assembly components is taught herein. The bodies of the undercarriage assembly components, formed of an iron-based alloy, have a hard metal alloy slurry disposed on a surface or into an undercut or channel and then fused to form a metallurgical bond with the iron-based alloy. The wear-resistant coating comprises a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. The portion of the outer surface of the undercarriage assembly components having the wear-resistant coating corresponds to a wear surface of the component during operation of the endless track of the track-type vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy D. Wodrich
  • Patent number: 9616953
    Abstract: An adjustable seat post for bicycles has a control assembly, an installing tube assembly, a connecting tube assembly, and an adjustable element. The control assembly has a control-wheel and a curved-portion formed on an external surface of the control-wheel. The installing tube assembly is connected to the control assembly. The connecting tube assembly is movably mounted in the installing tube assembly and has a connecting tube. The connecting tube is mounted in the installing tube assembly. The adjustable element is assembled in the connecting tube assembly and has a trigger element formed in a bottom end of the adjustable element and abutting the control-wheel. The curved-portion is arc-shaped, such that the curved-portion abuts the trigger element at one point of contact. Therefore, the contact area between the control-wheel and the trigger element is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Tsai
  • Patent number: 9616954
    Abstract: A bicycle assembly comprises a saddle adjustment assembly, the saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising first and second slidably coupled supports; a saddle post locking mechanism that selectively restricts sliding of the second support relative to the first support; and a saddle angle adjustment mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle to enable rotation of the bicycle saddle between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, wherein, when the saddle post locking mechanism is in an unlocked configuration, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism enables rotation of the bicycle saddle between the first and second predetermined positions, and wherein, when the saddle post locking mechanism is in a locked configuration, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism maintains the bicycle saddle in one of the first and second predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ian McPherson, Jeffrey K. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9616955
    Abstract: A golf bike including frame geometry and wheel design that facilitates the use of a bicycle as a golf club carrying vehicle on a golf course. A club carrying frame is incorporated into the golf bike to receive a bifurcated golf bag for holding clubs and appurtenant accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Todd May
  • Patent number: 9616956
    Abstract: A quick release mechanism with safety collar is provided. The quick release mechanism includes a mounting element having an axis extending along a threaded shank, a male element located at a distal end of the threaded shank, and a bolt head located between the threaded shank and the male element. A receiving element having an axis extending along a second threaded shank and a coupling portion located at a distal end of the second threaded shank, the coupling portion including a slot sized to receive the male element and a raised channel adjacent to the slot, the raised channel having an elevated shoulder that abuts an end of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Mathew R Aron
  • Patent number: 9616957
    Abstract: A motorcycle fairing adjustment assembly, a motorcycle fairing adjustment member, and a method of adjusting a motorcycle fairing are disclosed. The motorcycle fairing adjustment member includes an outer side configured for mounting to an inner fairing member of a motorcycle, an inner side configured for mounting to a fairing bracket extending longitudinally forward from a neck portion of a motorcycle frame, and an adjustment angle formed by the outer side and the inner side. The adjustment angle adjusts an angle of the inner fairing member relative to the motorcycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Paul Yaffe
  • Patent number: 9616958
    Abstract: A motorcycle foot anchor includes a foot anchor including a base, a body and an end portion. The base of the foot anchor is coupled to a motorcycle frame. The foot anchor protrudes from the motorcycle frame. A plurality of concentric grooves including pointed edges are disposed on the foot anchor. The pointed edges of the concentric grooves point toward the motorcycle frame. The end portion of the foot anchor has a larger diameter than a diameter of the body of the foot anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Igor Gershteyn
  • Patent number: 9616959
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a handlebar and a vibration generator supported on the handlebar. A sensor is configured to detect an overcoming vehicle. A controller is configured to activate the vibration generator when the sensor detects an overcoming vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, James Lloyd, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, Simon Potticary, Jonathan Mundy
  • Patent number: 9616960
    Abstract: A harness routing structure for a saddled vehicle includes a side body cover section, a center cover, a fuel tank having a fuel filler opening at an upper surface, and a refueling tray configured to be supported by the fuel tank, in the harness routing structure for a saddled vehicle used in the saddled vehicle having a straddling space disposed at an upper side of the center cover and through which a passenger passes his/her legs to ride the vehicle, a main harness extending from a front side of the straddling space to a rear side of the straddling space is routed below the center cover, is passed through a side of the refueling tray, and is routed between the side body cover section and the refueling tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiki Sasage, Kazunori Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9616961
    Abstract: A kick scooter includes a frame having a head tube for supporting handlebars and a front fork, an elongated frame member extending along a length of the frame, the frame member having a first end attached to the head tube and a second end configured for attachment to a rear wheel, the frame member being angularly disposed relative to the head tube. The frame includes support member coupled to the frame member for adjustable movement along a length of the frame member, a knee pad is attached to the support member for supporting a rider's knee and shin. The support member is movable relative to the frame member for adjusting a position of the knee pad relative to the head tube and a riding surface. The kick scooter further includes front and rear wheels, and a handlebar attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Christian Wright
  • Patent number: 9616962
    Abstract: A three-piece stem of a bicycle includes a stem body, a bottom pipe, and a middle element. A first torus portion and a second torus portion are disposed at two ends of the stem body, respectively. The bottom pipe is disposed in the second torus portion of the stem body. The middle element is disposed between the second torus portion of the stem body and the bottom pipe. A connecting element couples the second torus portion of the stem body, the bottom pipe, and the middle element together, such that the second torus portion of the stem body, the bottom pipe, and the middle element are fixed tightly to a front forked upright pipe collectively, thereby enhancing the ease of assembly and the binding strength upon completion of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: J.D. Components Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Pin-Chien Feng, Kuan-Lin Chung
  • Patent number: 9616963
    Abstract: A quick release device for at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, having an axle unit and a clamping mechanism. The axle unit includes an axle extending axially, a locking means at a first end of the axle unit and a fastener at a second end of the axle unit. The clamping mechanism is suitable for mounting and demounting the axle unit to a two-wheeled vehicle. The clamping mechanism includes an operating lever and a clamping component connected therewith. The clamping component can be non-rotatably coupled with the axle unit and can be decoupled from the axle unit. The operating lever of the clamping mechanism can be moved from an engagement position in which it is non-rotatably connected with the clamping component to a rotary position in which it is freely rotatable relative to the clamping component, while the clamping component is non-rotatably coupled with the axle unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Walthert, Stefan Spahr, Matthias Meier
  • Patent number: 9616964
    Abstract: A bicycle wireless control system is basically provided with a first bicycle electric component and a second bicycle electric component. The first bicycle electric component includes at least one operating member and a first wireless communication unit that wirelessly transmits a control signal in response to an operation of the at least one operating member. The second bicycle electric component includes a second wireless communication unit that is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from the first wireless communication unit and to wirelessly transmit an acknowledgement signal to the first wireless communication unit upon receiving the control signal from the first wireless communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kasai
  • Patent number: 9616965
    Abstract: An automatic pedal for bicycles comprising a main body provided with means for its pivoting along an axis to a pedal crank, the main body comprising a compartment arranged to abuttingly house a first portion of a cleat associated with a shoe of a cyclist, and a coupling element pivoted to the main body and spring loaded, adapted to cooperate with a second portion of said cleat to removable fix, together with said compartment, the cleat to the main body, in which said compartment comprises at least one first and one second seat arranged to alternatively abuttingly receive said first portion of the cleat, the first seat being closer to the axis of said pivotal means than the second seat, such that the cyclist is able to choose where to abuttingly position the cleat, hence adjusting the position of the shoe relative to the pivotal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Angelo Morelli
  • Patent number: 9616966
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising a motor mounted to a motor mount of the bicycle frame. The motor mount includes a down tube mount coupled to a down tube, a chainstay mount coupled to a chainstay, and a side brace secured to the down tube mount and wrapping around one side of the motor to the chainstay mount. Preferably, when viewed from the side, the side brace extends directly from the down tube mount to the chainstay mount. Preferably, the motor mount further comprises a lower support secured to the down tube mount and wrapped around a bottom of the motor to the chainstay mount. The motor mount can further include an upper support connecting the seat tube mount to the down tube mount. This upper support can include an upper flange secured to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Vincent Patureau, Marco Sonderegger, Marc Pallure, Brandon Dale Sloan, Joseph Edward Buckley, Daniel Lentz, Jamie Stafford
  • Patent number: 9616968
    Abstract: A sensing device and a driving module for an electric bicycle having a spindle are provided. The sensing device includes a torque sensor, a slip ring, a grating, and a cadence sensor. The driving module includes a motor, a reducer and the sensing device. The present disclosure combines the slip ring with the grating to integrate the cadence sensor and the torque sensor into one sensing device, such that the sizes of the sensing device and the driving module are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chia-Jui Hu, Shao-Yu Lee, Yuan-Yuan Chiang
  • Patent number: 9616969
    Abstract: A gearing system comprises a first rotational input, a second rotational input and a rotational output. The first rotational input and second rotational input may transmit a rotation to the rotational output, wherein one of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through a one way clutch, and wherein the other of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through an overrunning clutch, wherein said one way clutch and said overrunning clutch are rotationally coupled. The gearing system may be used in electric bicycles, but may also be used in other dual propulsion vehicles such as hybrid cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Freeflow Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Neil MacMartin
  • Patent number: 9616970
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a chain guide, a linkage assembly and a first adjusting member. The chain guide is pivotally supported with respect to the base member between a retracted and an extended position. The linkage assembly includes a first link coupled to the base member about a first pivot axis and coupled to the chain guide about a second pivot axis. The linkage assembly includes a second link coupling the base member to the chain guide. The second link is farther from the bicycle frame than the first link when the base member is mounted to the bicycle frame. The first adjusting member is movably attached to the first link. The first adjusting member is configured to contact one of the base member and the chain guide to restrict movement of the chain guide at one of the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsuhiro Emura