Patents Issued in May 29, 2018
  • Patent number: 9981495
    Abstract: A printer includes a discharge unit, a first printing unit disposed along a sheet conveying path extending from the discharge unit and configured to print an image on a first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed from the discharge unit to the first printing unit and then to the discharge unit, a second printing unit disposed farther from the discharge unit than the first printing unit along the sheet conveyance path and configured to print an image on a second sheet while the second sheet is conveyed towards the discharge unit therethrough, a scanning unit disposed along the sheet conveying path between the discharge unit and the first printing unit, and configured to scan a surface of the first sheet, and a control unit configured to perform a shading correction of the scanning unit using the second sheet as a white reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Saga
  • Patent number: 9981496
    Abstract: When a roughened pattern is formed on an image protection layer, a thermal transfer sheet is protected from being damaged or broken. A thermal head 18 is driven and controlled such that an image protection layer 15e of a thermal transfer sheet 15 is thermally transferred to a printing medium 14, and that a roughened pattern 40 is formed on the image protection layer 15e. The roughened pattern 40 is made based on a corrected pattern 40B that is obtained by correcting a basic pattern 40A that is a pattern including an island portion formed of a mass of a plurality of high-energy pixels 40a, such that the high-energy pixel 40a surrounded by the high-energy pixels 40a forming an edge area of the island portion is converted to a low-energy pixel 40b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Sawada, Naoki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9981497
    Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to a coated print medium, a method of preparing a print medium, and a printing system. The coated print medium can comprise a substrate and a coating applied to the substrate. The coating can comprise, by dry weight percent, 5 wt % to 30 wt % of a polymeric binder, 20 wt % to 50 wt % of a cationic latex, 5 wt % to 15 wt % of a multivalent cationic salt, and 1 wt % to 20 wt % of an optical brightener; and 5 wt % to 20 wt % of a cationic polyamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Bor-Jiunn Niu, Silke Courtenay, John Gardner
  • Patent number: 9981498
    Abstract: A sheet pasting and binding apparatus has a paste application unit, an acquisition unit, a detection unit, and a controller. The paste application unit can change an application amount for applying paste to fed sheets. The acquisition unit acquires the number of printing instructed sheets. The detection unit detects the remaining amount of the paste. The controller controls the paste application unit so that pasting and binding are performed using a second paste application amount which is smaller than a first paste application amount while the pasting and binding are performed using the first paste application amount which is specified in advance as the paste application amount for maintaining a binding force between the sheets, based on the reception number and the remaining paste amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9981499
    Abstract: A ballpoint pen bends at the pen tip, that can be changed by the force applied when writing. Wobbling does not occur, and a stable writing feel can be obtained. The ballpoint pen makes it possible to clearly change the thickness of the drawn line by the force applied when writing, so that lines of different thickness can be written with a single writing tip using the angle of the ballpoint pen tip. The ballpoint pen includes: a writing ball; a holder for holding the writing ball; an ink supply section; a shaft body inside which the ink supply section is held; and a tip shaft, which is connected to the tip of the shaft body and from which the holder protrudes during writing. The tip shaft is formed by two-color molding in which a front half and a back half are interdigitated in a saw tooth form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Takeo Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 9981500
    Abstract: A impact resistant rim is configured to soften or minimize an impact, thereby reducing the risk of pinching or otherwise flattening the tire and/or damaging the rim. This impact resistant rim further reduces the effects of an impact by maintaining the integrity of the rim during and following the impact. In this rim design, a shock absorbing cord is inlaid, molded, an/or otherwise embedded inside opposing leading edges of the rim. The shock absorbing cord is designed to elastically and/or plastically deform during an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ENVE Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Satterthwaite, Elias Harik
  • Patent number: 9981501
    Abstract: Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Eric V. Cole
  • Patent number: 9981502
    Abstract: A wheel ramp is provided for use with a motorcycle stand. The wheel ramp includes a pair of side plates, each of which has a first side end and a second side end distal thereto. At least one of the side plates has a curved end about the first side end to secure onto a portion of the motorcycle stand. The wheel ramp includes a top plate secured between the pair of side plates and an adjustable height mechanism configured to adjust the height of the second end of the side plates and thus adjust the height of the top plate about the second end. The top plate when moved under the wheel of the motorcycle is movable to engage and lift the wheel of the motorcycle into and out of engagement with the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Resarch and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kent Souder, ALexis Henry Clark
  • Patent number: 9981503
    Abstract: An undercarriage for an agricultural machine includes a hollow axle, and a stub axle slidably received within the hollow axle. A lock arrangement locks a longitudinal position of the stub axle relative to the hollow axle. At least one shim is positioned at an outboard end of the hollow axle to adjust the distance between said stub axle and said hollow axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Xavier G. J. M Bonte, Stefan De Rycke, Peter Vanhoutte
  • Patent number: 9981504
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising: an inner liner layer formed from a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by blending a thermoplastic resin with an elastomer; a coating rubber layer; and a tie rubber layer; the pneumatic tire being configured to effectively prevent separation of the inner liner layer. In a pneumatic tire comprising an inner liner layer formed from a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by blending a thermoplastic resin with an elastomer, a tie rubber layer, and a coating rubber layer, the coating rubber layer and the inner liner layer are disposed in a manner such that the coating rubber layer and the inner liner layer overlap each other, and a rubber composition in at least a region of the coating rubber layer where the coating rubber layer and the inner liner layer overlap has an adhesion to the inner liner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Shibata, Jun Matsuda, Yoshiaki Hashimura
  • Patent number: 9981505
    Abstract: A tire is provided having features in the tread elements that provide improved resistance to wear and, more particularly, irregular wear. More specifically, lamellae are provided along tread elements of the tire and between such tread elements to provide for improved wear patterns and particularly to provide resistance to irregular wear at the leading and trailing edges of the tread element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: Robert C. Radulescu
  • Patent number: 9981506
    Abstract: Tire for a heavy goods vehicle, comprising a crown reinforcement, and, radially outside this crown reinforcement, a tread having a total thickness PMU of material intended to become worn during running, the crown reinforcement being formed by at least two working plies and a protection ply positioned radially outside the working plies and radially inside the tread, the narrowest working ply having a width in the range from 70% to 90% of the width W of the tread, the protection ply having a width at most equal to 70% of the width of the narrowest working ply, the tread comprising grooves only in the part radially outside the protection ply, each circumferentially orientated groove having a depth at least equal to 75% of the maximum thickness intended to become worn PMU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Fabien Marlier, Benjamin Quantinet, Eric Slachmuylders
  • Patent number: 9981507
    Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread having two or more wear layers comprising an outer wear layer and one or more inner wear layers arranged within the thickness of the tread below the outer wear layer and one or more outer grooves are arranged within the outer wear layer. The tread further includes a volumetric void ratio equal to approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in a worn condition where the outer, ground-engaging side is arranged along one of the inner wear layers in the worn condition, the tread further having a contact surface ratio equal to approximately 0.66-0.72 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.56-0.66 in the worn condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Compagnie Générale des établissements Michelin
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Warfford, Damon Lee Christenbury, Robert Cecil Lawson, Timothy A. White
  • Patent number: 9981508
    Abstract: It is a pneumatic tire 1 which is provided with a pair of shoulder land portions 4A defined between shoulder main grooves 3A and tread edges 2t by having the grooves 3A. At least one of the shoulder land portions 4A is provided with a plurality of shoulder lug grooves 5 and a plurality of shoulder sipes 6. The shoulder lug grooves 5 include first shoulder lug grooves 5A extending axially inward from the tread edge 2t and terminating without reaching the shoulder main groove 3A. The shoulder sipes 6 include first shoulder sipes 6A extending axially inward from the axially inner ends 5Ai of the first shoulder lug grooves 5A and connected to the shoulder main groove 3A, and second shoulder sipes 6B intersecting the first shoulder sipes 6A and extending in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Takemoto
  • Patent number: 9981509
    Abstract: A guide wheel (33) for guiding a vehicle along a track is equipped with an annular tread section (61) that comes into contact with a guide rail extending along the track and a pair of sidewall sections (62) that are formed continuing from both edges of the tread section (61) in the axial direction and extend inward in the radial direction, said guide wheel (33) being characterized in that protrusions (63a, 63b) are formed over the entire circumference of each of the sidewall sections (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kousuke Katahira, So Tamura, Mitsuaki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9981510
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has two carcass layers including carcass cords are laid between a pair of bead portions, bead cores and bead fillers are disposed in the bead portions, and at least two belt layers are disposed on the outer circumferential side of the carcass layers, the tire being characterized in that both ends of the inner carcass layer are folded back from the tire inner side to the tire outer side around the bead cores, and the ends of the folded back portions of the inner carcass layer are disposed between the innermost belt layer and the outer carcass layer, while both ends of the outer carcass layer are disposed so as to pass between a main portion of the inner carcass layer and the bead fillers, and both ends of the outer carcass layer terminate at the bead portions without being folded back around the bead cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Kuriyama, Masatoshi Shimizu, Shinya Harikae
  • Patent number: 9981511
    Abstract: A tire traction assembly for mounting upon a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of cables with brackets at opposing ends which are each in a pivoting engagement with the cables. A toothed member is attached to a first of the two brackets and configured for engagement with a ratchet mechanism attached to the second of the brackets to releasably secure the tire traction assembly around the tire. A plurality of traction cables configured to traverse the rolling surface of the tire are located in-between the brackets. The brackets may include a planar tread plate which has opposing planar side surfaces configuring the brackets to a U-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: David Martin
  • Patent number: 9981512
    Abstract: In order to provide a coupling unit for a trailer coupling of a motor vehicle comprising a coupling ball and a coupling ball carrier carrying the coupling ball with the aid of which the loads effective thereon when in use can be detected in a reliable and simple manner, it is proposed that the coupling unit comprise a load-bearing structure which engages around a channel extending parallel to an axis, and that a reference finger extending from a first end to a second end in a longitudinal direction approximately parallel to the axis be arranged in the channel, wherein said finger is fixed at the first end such as to be static relative to the load-bearing structure and extends such as to be free from deformations of the load-bearing structure up to the second end, and wherein the second end cooperates with a sensor unit which detects a relative position of the second end relative to a region of the load-bearing structure engaging around it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Scambia Holdings Cyprus Limited
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gentner
  • Patent number: 9981513
    Abstract: An anti-rattle device is shown and described. The anti-rattle device may include a frame configured to engage a receiver hitch and to receive a draw bar. The anti-rattle device may also include a cam engaging assembly operatively engaged with the frame, where the cam engaging assembly is selectively positionable between disengaged and engaged positions whereby the cam engaging assembly is adapted to engage the draw bar against the receiver hitch in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob S. Belinky, Russell T. Brzezinski, Gail R. Matheus, Jacob L. Hillard, Austin J. Laurer, Mark Scruggs
  • Patent number: 9981514
    Abstract: A trailer hitch coupler is provided that facilitates alignment of a ball mount with the ball socket distal end of the coupler when connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer. The ball socket distal end of the coupler includes an open interior with a rounded interior surface that is adapted to receive a ball mount therein, which can be optionally locked in place. Extending outwardly from the ball socket distal end is a guide flange that is used to guide a ball mount towards the ball socket of the coupler. The guide flange comprises a lower surface that extends radially outward and upwardly from the lower edge ball socket distal end, and bears against a ball mount that is being positioned in the ball socket. In one embodiment, the guide flange has a semi-circular outer edge and includes downward lateral edges that extend laterally outward from the ball socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Potter
  • Patent number: 9981515
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a trailer alignment device intended to facilitate the backing up of an automobile to align a hitch of the automobile with a towable trailer. The alignment device further provides for trailer stabilization by providing for a second point of attachment for the trailer to the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Metro Stucko
  • Patent number: 9981516
    Abstract: One embodiment of a trailer frame (9), which has a receiver section (4) made of a square metal tube on which the hitch (7) travels in and out as a result of the mechanical energy source activated at the push of a button located on the vehicle's dashboard, a button located in the trunk at the rear of the vehicle or by the remote access device. When extending the hitch is desired, the corresponding button is pressed activating the solenoid (5), subsequently activating the motor (1) and as a result the hitch extends for use. Immediately after the solenoid activates again, locking the hitch (7) to the receiver section of the trailer frame, thus transferring the load of the trailer from the motor and lead screw (3) to the trailer frame (9). When retracting is desired, the corresponding button is pressed activating the solenoid (5), subsequently activating the motor (1), as a result the hitch retracts for storage. After the hitch completes its travel, again the solenoid locks the hitch in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Felipe J. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 9981517
    Abstract: Railway traction vehicle (1) that is equipped with four rubber wheels (6) and with four steel rail wheels (7), and all eight (8×8) can exert traction simultaneously on the rails over which a train is hauled. Each of the eight wheels is equipped with an individual hydraulic or electric motor (5) that can be controlled individually. The traction vehicle is equipped with tilting bogies (8a, 8b) with which the steel rail wheels can be raised or lowered. The tilting bogies also enable ballast bodies (24a, 24b) to be detached and placed on supports, by lowering the level of the supporting frame (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: RENTALOC BVBA
    Inventors: Dirk Krols, Bart Raymaekers
  • Patent number: 9981518
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an amphibious vehicle includes an engine, a land propeller generating a propulsion force on land, a water propeller generating a propulsion force on water, a power distributor distributing power to the land propeller and the water propeller, a transmission for changing a shift ratio of the power supplied to the land propeller, and a controller, wherein the controller selects and executes one of a land mode for controlling travel on land, a water mode for controlling travel on the water, and a transition mode controlling the travel in a transition region, and the controller maintains an engine output torque in the land mode to be constant and maintains an engine output speed in the water mode and the transition mode to be constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HANWHA LAND SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Won Han
  • Patent number: 9981519
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, driver and passenger seats, two front and two rear suspension assemblies, two front and two rear wheels, and a motor operatively connected to the at least two wheels. Each rear suspension assembly has a trailing arm having a front end pivotally connected to the frame; a knuckle pivotally connected to a rear portion of the trailing arm; a lower link having a laterally outward end pivotally connected to the trailing arm and a laterally inward end pivotally connected to the frame; an upper link having a laterally outward end pivotally connected to the trailing arm and a laterally inward end pivotally connected to the frame; and a toe link having a laterally outward end pivotally connected to the knuckle and a laterally inward end pivotally connected to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Charles Despres-Nadeau, Martin Heon, Daniel Leclerc
  • Patent number: 9981520
    Abstract: A removable axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes an axle mounting structure configured to be removably attached to an axle mount. The axle mounting structure includes an inner surface that is aligned with a tapered surface of the axle mount. One or more fastening devices are attached to a clamping structure. In response to securing the one or more fastening devices, the clamping structure is configured to exert a compression force that maintains contact between the tapered surface of the frame support structure and the inner surface of the axle mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9981521
    Abstract: An axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes a first axle operably coupled to an axle mount of the load bearing frame by a first articulation structure, and a second axle spaced a distance from the first axle and operably coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation structure. The first articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a first articulation connection, and the second articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation connection. A suspension system is operably coupled to both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In a first mode of operation, the suspension system forms a substantially rigid connection between the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9981522
    Abstract: Suspension unit, comprising a control unit, for a utility vehicle, wherein the utility vehicle has a body floor, to which a first and a second axle are connected, wherein the utility vehicle comprises at least one vehicle seat and/or a vehicle cab that can be suspended by a suspension device relative to the body floor, wherein the vehicle seat and/or the vehicle cab is arranged substantially above the second axle seen in a vertical direction, wherein, when driving over a bump with the first axle, a value of a deflection of the first axle by the disturbance can be determined by at least one sensor, and wherein the suspension device of the vehicle seat and/or vehicle cab can be varied by the control unit before or upon driving over the disturbance with the second axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Jens Kolb, Tobias Sonnleitner
  • Patent number: 9981523
    Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber system configured with more than one pressure cylinder that provides advantageous damping characteristics for different loads. There is provided a vehicle shock absorber system having a primary pressure cylinder including upper and lower primary chambers separated by a primary piston head, an auxiliary pressure cylinder including upper and lower auxiliary chambers separated by an auxiliary piston head, a first connection conduit connecting the upper primary chamber and the upper auxiliary chamber, a second connection conduit connecting the lower primary chamber and the lower auxiliary chamber, and a cylinder valve arrangement configured to regulate fluid flow to the auxiliary pressure cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: REGO VEHICLES LTD.
    Inventors: Ami Kamil, Izik Mini
  • Patent number: 9981524
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing including: a tubular main rubber elastic body configured to be disposed about and attachable to a stabilizer bar; an inside protrusion protruding in an axial direction from an inner peripheral part of the main rubber elastic body; and a bonding surface constituted by including an inner peripheral surface of the main rubber elastic body and an inner peripheral surface of the inside protrusion, the bonding surface being configured to be bonded to an outer peripheral surface of the stabilizer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsumura, Satoshi Uchida, Masaki Shirashige, Toru Neichi
  • Patent number: 9981525
    Abstract: A heater core is disposed to be inclined with respect to an airflow direction so that a first header tank unit is displaced downstream of a second header tank unit in the airflow direction. Therefore, when a first air mixing door blocks a first heating portion, an air stagnates between a downstream lateral portion of the first heating portion and a second partition wall downstream of the first heating portion, and the air is unlikely to be heated downstream of the first heating portion. Likewise, the air is unlikely to be heated upstream of a second heating portion in a second airflow passage. Therefore, a maximum cooling performance of a vehicle air conditioning unit can be restrained from being deteriorated due to a heat from a heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sekito, Syunsuke Ishiguro, Shinya Kato
  • Patent number: 9981526
    Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle interior, having a housing, a cooling device, and a heating device. At least one first flow channel, a second flow channel, and a third flow channel are disposed in the housing. A mixing chamber is disposed within the housing, which has at least one outflow opening, which is downstream of the mixing chamber in the flow direction. The flow channels are closable by a flap element, a third flow channel leads from the cooling device to the outflow opening while bypassing the mixing chamber, the flap element in the first flow channel and the flap element in the second flow channel are kinematically coupled and can be adjusted by a mutual control device. The flap element in the third flow channel is kinematically coupled to the other two flap elements or can be adjusted independently by a further control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Herrmann, Holger Laux, Varsamis Venetidis, Michael Sickelmann, Ronny Schlieder
  • Patent number: 9981527
    Abstract: A vehicle heater includes a plurality of heating units (12, 14) as well as a heat exchanger device (32) for transmitting heat provided in the heating units (12, 14) to a heat carrier medium (M). The heat exchanger device (32) includes, associated with each heating unit (12, 14), a heat exchanger zone for transmitting heat provided in the heating unit (12, 14) to the heat carrier medium (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Krämer
  • Patent number: 9981528
    Abstract: An air condition and lamp control system based on a light sensing of a vehicle may include an illumination sensor configured to detect an amount of irradiation of light irradiated into an interior side of the vehicle to be distinguished in a left and a right, an air condition controller configured to receive a left input voltage and a right input voltage according to the amount of irradiation of light detected by the illumination sensor and to independently compensate for left and right interior temperatures, a voltage amplifier configured to sum the left input voltage and the right input voltage which are transferred from the illumination sensor and to amplify the summed voltage to an amplified voltage, and a lamp controller configured to receive the amplified voltage amplified by the voltage amplifier, to compare the amplified voltage and a prestored lamp operation voltage, and to drive a lamp apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Ho Kwon, June Kyu Park, Yong Soo Chang, Kwang Woon Cho
  • Patent number: 9981529
    Abstract: An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Waseen, Bruce S. Johnson, Larry Weber, Paul Wacker
  • Patent number: 9981530
    Abstract: A device and a method for a controlling compressor of vehicles may include a cabin temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, an evaporator temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a cooling medium in an evaporator, an engine speed sensor detecting rotation speed of an engine, and a throttle position sensor detecting a throttle opening, an air conditioning system including a condenser condensing and liquefying the cooling medium, an evaporator, the compressor, a temperature control door controlling a temperature of an air flowed in a cabin, an intake door selectively flowing an inner air or an outer air in the cabin, a blower blowing the air to the intake door, and a controller determining acceleration mode and an allowable temperature at each acceleration mode when an acceleration condition occurs, and decreasing an operation of the compressor according to a difference between the evaporator temperature and the allowable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Choon Gyu Kwon, Jae Woong Kim, Chang Won Lee
  • Patent number: 9981531
    Abstract: A drive device comprising at least one control unit (10) for operating a first drive unit (16) with a first operating frequency (fb1) from a first operating frequency interval and a second drive unit (18) with a second operating frequency (fb2) from a second operating frequency interval, which at least partly overlaps the first operating frequency interval. The control unit (10), in at least one operating state, operates the drive units at least occasionally simultaneously with different operating frequencies (fb1, fb2) and varies the first operating frequency (fb1) and/or the second operating frequency (fb2) within the respective operating frequency interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert
  • Patent number: 9981532
    Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising drawing air into a robotic vapor device, exposing the drawn air to a sensor to detect one or more constituents in the drawn air, determining measurement data for the one or more constituents of the drawn air via the sensor, receiving a parameter from a transportation vehicle system, determining one or more vaporizable materials to vaporize based on the measurement data and the parameter, and dispensing a vapor comprised of the one or more vaporizable materials from the robotic vapor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LUNATECH, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Seamus Blackley
  • Patent number: 9981533
    Abstract: A liftgate/decklid assembly for a motor vehicle includes a liftgate panel hingedly connected to the vehicle to define a liftgate swing arc. A decklid panel is hingedly connected to the liftgate panel to define a decklid swing arc. The decklid and liftgate panels are not aligned, causing the decklid swing arc to be different from the liftgate swing arc. The assembly further includes a liftgate/decklid assembly closure mechanism including an articulating striker configured for translation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation is normal to the liftgate swing arc and the second orientation is normal to the decklid swing arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul Elia, Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Henry W. Hausler, John Patrick Doyle
  • Patent number: 9981534
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a vehicle component for a vehicle can comprise: a carrier comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion; a cavity, wherein the cavity comprises a bottom cavity wall, cavity side walls, and a top portion of the cavity having an upper cavity wall; an insert covering at least a portion of the cavity and attached to the upper cavity wall, the bottom cavity wall, and/or the cavity side walls; and a cover attached to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Tim Willem Joseph Leonard Dassen, Davy Wilhelmus Anna Brands, Claire Marie-Annick Martin, Angel Stoyanov Yanev, Geert Jan Schellekens
  • Patent number: 9981535
    Abstract: Upright bead sections extending in a door vertical direction and having recessed shapes indented toward a vehicle cabin inside are formed at the two vehicle width direction end portions of a resin door inner panel. Side reinforcement portions of metal hinge reinforcements are disposed inside the recessed shapes of the upright bead sections, and extend in the door vertical direction. The side reinforcement portions include bent plate portions having bent plate shapes running along locations of the upright bead sections from the outside sidewall portions to recessed bottom wall portions. The side reinforcement portions are each joined to the respective outside sidewall portion through an adhesive layer, and are each joined to the respective recessed bottom wall portion through an adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Ueno, Hiroshi Kanda
  • Patent number: 9981536
    Abstract: An arrangement having a cover for a vehicle roof which, starting from a closed position for closing a roof opening, can be raised in the rear region thereof for opening using deployment means and which can be displaced toward the rear over the vehicle roof into an open position. The deployment means have a sliding member which can be displaced in a guide rail along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of a drive and which has a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The deployment means further have a cover carrier which is mechanically coupled to the cover and which cover carrier has with respect to the longitudinal vehicle direction a front slotted link and a rear slotted link which is arranged behind the front slotted link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Dominik Hölzel
  • Patent number: 9981537
    Abstract: A truck cover system that includes a rail that couples to a truck. The rail includes a rail body with a cover slot that couples to a cover and a wall that extends away from the rail body with alignment indicia. A latch system couples to the rail. The latch system includes a latch housing that includes a tongue aperture. A tongue moves axially within the tongue aperture. A tongue fastener couples to the tongue to secure the tongue to the latch housing. A spring surrounds a portion of the tongue fastener and axially biases the tongue into engagement with the rail. A latch positioner couples to the rail and to the latch housing to enable rotation of the latch housing while the alignment indicia facilitates alignment of the latch positioner on the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CIXI CITY LIYUAN AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Enli Xu
  • Patent number: 9981538
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a door lining assembly for use with a vehicle having a vehicle interior, a vehicle door, and weather-stripping configured to facilitate sealing of the door in a closed position. The door lining assembly can include a front portion connected to a lower section of the vehicle door. The front portion can include a flange that is connected to the weather-stripping. The door lining assembly can also include an elongated transition portion that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction and is attached to the front portion and the lower section of the vehicle door. The transition portion can be structured to have a gradually varying depth in a lateral direction of the vehicle, such that one end of the transition portion that is connected to the front portion extends further into the vehicle interior than the opposite longitudinal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Generoso Tan Sia, Jr., Jason Dilley
  • Patent number: 9981539
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a fixed roof having a roof edge, defining the roof opening and protruding in a downward direction and further comprising a stationary part, at least one panel to open and close the roof opening. The panel is movably supported by an operating mechanism, guided in a guide rail of the stationary part, extending along at least a longitudinal side of the roof opening. The panel is movable in vertical and longitudinal directions with respect to the roof opening. The stationary part is provided with a sealing assembly comprising a first seal part capable of sealing the panel towards the fixed roof, and a second seal part capable of sealing the stationary part against an inner part of the fixed roof. The first seal part is slidably adjustable with respect to the second seal part in vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group, B.V.
    Inventors: Jordan M. Gill, Ian S. Schornak
  • Patent number: 9981540
    Abstract: A shielding device has a body, at least one slewing mechanism and two vehicle-top suction attachment assemblies. The body has a housing, a first cover and a second cover. The first cover and the second cover are mounted in the housing. The slewing mechanism has a spindle, a rotor, a rolling pipe, a rotating casing and a covering cloth. The spindle is mounted in the second cover. The rotor is mounted on and around the spindle and has a fastening portion, a torsion spring and a securing ring. The torsion spring is connected to the fastening portion. The securing ring is securely mounted on and around the spindle. The fastening portion is fastened in the rolling pipe. The rotating casing is mounted pivotally in the first cover. The covering cloth is mounted on the rolling pipe. The vehicle-top suction attachment assemblies are mounted on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SPORTSMAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 9981541
    Abstract: A battery module is mounted in the rear of a vehicle body and attached to at least one rear side frame extending rearward in the vehicle body such that the rear side module protrudes rearward beyond the battery module. One or a plurality of slope members is provided at the rear of the battery module. Each of the slope members forms a frontward rising inclined surface that protrudes above the rear side frame at the rear of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Onodera, Junya Okamura, Takayuki Tokunaga, Yasunori Mashio
  • Patent number: 9981542
    Abstract: Appropriate vehicle stability control is enabled in a vehicle configured to carry out regeneration enhancement control. A predictive deceleration support control unit is configured to set a position at which the vehicle is predicted to finish deceleration as a target deceleration end position, and guide a driver to release an accelerator pedal so that the deceleration of the vehicle is finished at the target deceleration end position, to thereby carry out regeneration enhancement control under a state in which the accelerator pedal is released so as to generate a larger deceleration than in a normal state. The predictive deceleration support control unit is configured to read a vehicle stability control flag from a brake ECU and stop the regeneration enhancement control when the vehicle stability control is being carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruki Oguri, Satoshi Koganemaru, Naoya Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9981543
    Abstract: A hybrid power module efficiently delivers both hydraulic power and electric power. The hybrid power module may regenerate and store energy for later use. The module includes and engine and an electric motor for driving a hydraulic pump. The electric motor is operable as a starter motor for the engine and as an assist motor cooperating with the engine to power the hydraulic pump to improve dynamic response of the hydraulic pump. The module also includes an electric power source which may have an energy storage unit, and the electric motor may be operated as an electric generator providing electric energy to the energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Gonzalo Rey, George L. Small
  • Patent number: 9981544
    Abstract: An electric work vehicle includes a left motor 4L that drives a left drive wheel 12L and a right motor 4R that drives a right drive wheel 12R, a cooling liquid circulation flow path 7 connected to the left motor 4L and the right motor 4R, and a cooling liquid distribution mechanism 6 that, according to a travel state, adjusts a ratio between a cooling liquid flow amount that flows from a pump 72 disposed on the cooling liquid circulation flow path 7 to the left motor 4L, and a cooling liquid flow amount that flows from the pump 72 to the right motor 4R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ito, Kazuo Koike