Patents Issued in June 12, 2018
  • Patent number: 9994057
    Abstract: The creaser 2 includes a project part 21 for forming the crease 120 on the sheet 101 and a receive part 22 for receiving the project part 21. The project part 21 is moved between a crease position and a standby potion, the project part 21 being at the crease position so as to form the crease 120 on the sheet 101, the project part 21 being away from the sheet 101 at the standby position so as not to form the crease 120 on the sheet 101. The input device 6 includes a selector 60 for selecting the sheet 101 to be creased by the creaser 2 from among the sheets 101 fed from the conveyer 1, the input device 6 sending the information of the selection to the controller 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jun Mochizuki, Katsunori Ishida, Tomoyuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9994058
    Abstract: The book binding device includes a section for forming a cut in the end side of a conveyed sheet, a control section for controlling the section for forming a cut, and a selection section for selecting each sheet for the presence/absence of a cut to be formed by the section for forming a cut, wherein the control section controls the formation of a cut by the section for forming a cut based on the presence/absence of the formation of a cut selected by the selection section, and then the mixture of sheets in which cuts are formed and sheets in which cuts are not formed are bundled and bound to complete a booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Hata
  • Patent number: 9994059
    Abstract: When data about plural book sheets, each belonging to one of plural chapters, are edited to bind the plural book sheets by a casing-in operation in such a manner that chapter range images, which indicate the respective ranges of the plural chapters, are displayed on an edge so that the chapter range images that are adjacent to each other are arranged at different positions from each other in the top-bottom direction, a marker image emphasizing the chapter range image is adjacent to the chapter range image indicating the range of a chapter having book sheets the number of which is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Asuka Araki, Ayako Kawano, Mayumi Okawa, Kouichi Nobushima, Hideo Nakao
  • Patent number: 9994060
    Abstract: In order to prevent a page from returning from a page-turning end point to a page-turning start point and improve the reliability of page turning, in addition to a catching section having a plurality of vane sections provided on the outer circumferential surface, there are provided a pull-in roller which rotates around the rotation axis of the catching section and has a diameter smaller than that of the catching section and a pressing roller having a diameter smaller than that of the pull-in roller. When a page is conveyed by a sticking section, the catching section brings the page to a page-turning end point while rubbing the page surface with the rotating vane sections, and the pull-in roller pulls in the page caught by the vane sections of the catching section. The pressing roller presses the page pulled in by the pull-in roller at the page-turning end point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Yamada, Naoto Imamura
  • Patent number: 9994061
    Abstract: A security document has a substrate (1) with a foil element (6) applied to it. The foil element (6) includes a security feature, such as a diffractive structure (12), for example a hologram. To easily detect a removal of the foil element (6) using conventional detection devices, markings (4, 14, 15) intersecting with the foil element (6) are printed onto the top surface (7) of the foil element (6), the bottom surface (8) of the foil element (6), or onto the substrate (1), thus that they are removed together with the foil element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ORELL FUSSLI SICHERHEITSDRUCK AG
    Inventors: Martin Eichenberger, Hendrik Wiermer
  • Patent number: 9994062
    Abstract: A multilayer body includes a transparent first layer. In the transparent first layer, a multiplicity microlenses arranged in accordance with a microlens grid are impressed in a first region. Furthermore, the multilayer body includes a second layer, which is arranged below the first layer and in a fixed position with respect to the first layer and has a multiplicity of microimages arranged in accordance with a microimage grid and in each case in an at least regional overlap with one of the microlenses of the microlens grid for the purpose of generating a first optically variable information item. The grid pitches of the microimage grid and of the microlens grid in each case in at least one spatial direction are less than 300 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Achim Hansen
  • Patent number: 9994063
    Abstract: A booklet includes a sheet-like first substrate, and a sheet-like second substrate that is attached to the first substrate. The first substrate includes a light-transmitting region, and an optical functional unit is provided to the light-transmitting region. A latent image is provided to a surface of the second substrate that is opposite to the first substrate at a position corresponding to the optical functional unit. The latent image manifests when the optical functional unit operates by overlapping the first substrate with the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chiaki Ishioka, Yoshiyuki Mizuguchi, Yoshiaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9994064
    Abstract: A media binder, comprising: a front surface board, at least one spine board, and a back surface board, wherein each board comprises an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; a cover sheet wrapped around the outwardly facing surface of the spine board and a portion of a surface cover sheet, the surface cover sheet wrapped around the outwardly facing surface of at least one surface board and comprises a first marginal edge attached to the inwardly facing surface of the at least one surface board and a second marginal edge unattached to the inwardly facing surface of the at least one surface board; at least one spring clamp to secure physical media inserted between clamp edges of the at least one spring clamp; and a tension sheet attached to the at least one spring clamp and the inwardly facing surface of the at least one surface board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Hoarau, Peter C. Zahrobsky, Udayan Delouri, Francois K. Pirayesh
  • Patent number: 9994065
    Abstract: A hanging file folder frame is disclosed in several embodiments one of which is constructed of three segments. Two frames are joined together by rails. The frame includes a slot of a particular profile and the rails have a similar profile to slide into the slots. On the bottom of the frame are recesses sized to receive a portion of a wireframe leg. The leg is prevented from being ejected from the frame by a spanning flange which bridges part of the recess and confines a part of the leg between the recess walls and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Marvin J. Halfen, Tony Kramer, Daniel Darst, Dan Johnson
  • Patent number: 9994066
    Abstract: Provided are an erasing implement and a writing implement equipped with the erasing implement, the erasing implement being capable of erasing writing regardless of the type of ink or lead of the writing implement, even writing with thermochromic ink or writing with pencil lead. The erasing implement is equipped with a first erasing member for erasing writing with thermochromic ink and a second erasing member for erasing writing of types other than thermochromic ink, and is configured by covering the outer surface of the second erasing member with the first erasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited
    Inventors: Sakae Hayao, Hiroshi Ohtsuka, Tsuyoshi Nishida
  • Patent number: 9994067
    Abstract: An envelope opener features a through slot defining a channel that is closed on three sides around an axis of the slot. A blade projects into the channel from a first closed side thereof to an opposing second closed side thereof, and lies in plane spaced from the closed third side of the channel that lies opposite the mouth. The third side of the channel is angled relative to blade, and the cutting edge slopes away from the first closed side of the channel toward the second closed side, whereby the cutting edge is closer to both the second and third sides of the channel at one end thereof than the other. At the other end, a radiused corner is provided between the third side of the channel and an exterior of the tool. A metal insert lines one or more sides of the channel for an improved wear life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: David H. Goodman
  • Patent number: 9994068
    Abstract: An artist's palette is provided herein including: a body having a first, generally flat surface; a protruding first ridge running along an edge of the first surface; and, a pane removably mountable to the body, the pane being transparent or sufficiently translucent to permit visual color matching through the pane of a sample of prepared paint disposed on the pane with a reference sample disposed between the pane and the body. The artist's palette may be provided as part of an assembly which also includes a cover removably mountable to the body, the cover being configured to be mounted to the body without any portion of the cover contacting the first surface and without any portion of the cover contacting the pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: David Kassan, David Lemyre
  • Patent number: 9994069
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric that is placed onto a cylindrical forming tube having a segment of bonding material temporarily secured on its outer surface under the segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric. The cylindrical forming tube is placed on a heated mandrel to apply heat thereto to cause the bonding material to bond to the interior of the segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric. The cylindrical forming tube is removed from the mandrel and cooled, and the segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric becomes secured to the bonding material to produce a semi-rigid paint roller cover segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Seamless Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel L. Sinykin, Randy Smith, Scot Smith
  • Patent number: 9994070
    Abstract: Disclosed are wheel assemblies for motor vehicle powertrains, methods for making and methods for using wheel assemblies, and motor vehicles with wheel units each composed of a tire and a wheel assembly. For example, a multi-hub wheel assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor vehicle includes a tire and a suspension component, such as a hub-and-bearing assembly, mounted to the vehicle body. The wheel assembly includes an outer wheel with an annular rim well attached to a central hub. The central hub mounts onto the vehicle's suspension component, e.g., via lugs and bolts, while the tire mounts onto the rim well. The wheel assembly also includes an intermediate hub with a deflection annular rim attached to a mounting base. The mounting base is attached to the outer wheel. The intermediate hub mounts inside a hollow core of the outer wheel, interposed between the central hub and the suspension component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Michael E. Quigley, Giles D. Bryer
  • Patent number: 9994071
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure is basically provided with an axle member, a head member, a lever member and an adjusting member. The axle member is at least partially hollow, and includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a vehicle body engagement portion. The vehicle body engagement portion is provided to the second end portion for engaging a bicycle frame. The head member is disposed on the first end portion. The lever member is configured to turn the head member around an axis between a first position and a second position. The lever member presses the head member from the first end portion to the second end portion by being turned from the second position to the first position. The adjusting member is provided inside the axle member for adjusting an axial position of the head member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9994072
    Abstract: A caster locking mechanism includes a foot movable between retracted and extended positions, a lock bar movable from an unlocked to a locked position, a release bar movable from an initial to a release position, and a lock and release assembly. The lock and release assembly includes a guide plate defining a slot, a rocker coupled to the lock bar and including a protrusion slidably disposed within the slot, and a release member coupled to the release bar and including a protrusion slidably disposed within the slot. Moving the lock bar to the locked position slides the protrusion of the rocker through the slot to extend the foot. Moving the release bar to the release position urges the protrusion of the release member through the and into contact with the protrusion of the rocker to urge the protrusion of the rocker back, thereby retracting the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Medical Depot, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Lyon
  • Patent number: 9994073
    Abstract: A tire includes: a ring shaped tire frame member that is made of a resin with plural tire pieces joined along a tire circumferential direction; a joint portion reinforcing belt that is adhered to the tire frame member, that extends around the tire circumferential direction, and that covers a joint portion of the plural tire pieces; and a tread layer that is provided further to the tire radial direction outside than the tire frame member and the joint portion reinforcing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kouno, Seiji Kon
  • Patent number: 9994074
    Abstract: A detection device includes a camera, a recognition unit, and a detection unit. The camera acquires image data obtained by capturing surroundings of a vehicle. The recognition unit recognizes switching of signal indication of a traffic signal from the image data. The detection unit detects a dangerous driving degree indicating a degree of dangerous driving done by a driver of the vehicle based on acceleration data of the vehicle acquired after the signal indication is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Haike Guan, Ryosuke Kasahara, Tomoaki Yano, Naoki Kikuchi, Takashi Maki
  • Patent number: 9994075
    Abstract: A tire includes: a tire case serving as an example of a circular tire frame member that is formed using a frame resin material; and a reinforcing cord member that is disposed at an outer circumference of the tire case, that is configured by a reinforcing cord covered with a resin covering layer, that is wound along a tire circumferential direction so as to form a spiral shape, that is bonded to the tire case, and in which tire axial direction adjacent portions of the reinforcing cord member are bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Kon, Keiichi Hasegawa, Yoshihide Kouno
  • Patent number: 9994076
    Abstract: The invention provides a cured tread and a tire capable of controlling irregular wear of the tread. A base tire which is to be the base for the tire and a cured tread which is to be bonded to the base tire are molded separately, and they are integrated with each other to produce the tire. The tread is provided in its width (axial) direction with a plurality of grooves extending in its length (circumferential) direction. The thickness of the tread in a width cross section gradually decreases from the equator to the equator-side edge of the outermost groove located at an axially outermost position and gradually increases from the outer edge of the outermost groove outward in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeo Nagahara
  • Patent number: 9994077
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire having high snow road performance. Provided is a pneumatic tire, the direction of mounting of which to a vehicle is specified. A tread section has formed therein an outer shoulder main groove which extends in a zigzag pattern, an outer middle main groove, outer shoulder lateral grooves, and outer middle lateral grooves. As a result, outer shoulder lands and outer middle lands are formed on the tread section. The outer shoulder lands are provided with outer shoulder lug grooves, and the outer middle lands are provided with outer middle lug grooves. The outer shoulder lateral grooves and the outer middle lug grooves are smoothly connected through the outer shoulder main groove. The outer middle lateral grooves and the outer shoulder lug grooves are smoothly connected through the outer shoulder main groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Aya Wakizono
  • Patent number: 9994078
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire (1) includes a tread portion (2) having at least one heat-dissipating recess portion (9). The recess portion (9) includes an opening edge (10) and an inner wall portion (11). The opening edge (10) includes a linear first edge (10a) and second edge (10b) opposite each other. The inner wall portion (11) includes a first wall surface (11a) extending from the first edge (10a) to a bottom portion (9a) at the deepest position of the recess portion (9), and a second wall surface (11b) extending from the second edge (10b) to the bottom portion (9a). An inclination angle ([theta]1) of the first wall surface (11a) with respect to a first normal (12a) to a contact surface passing the first edge (10a) is greater than an inclination angle ([theta]2) of a second wall surface (22b) with respect to a second normal (23b) to the contact surface passing the second edge (21b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Nomura
  • Patent number: 9994079
    Abstract: A winter tire tread band having: a number of longitudinal and transverse grooves defining a number of blocks, each projecting radially upwards from a base surface of the tread band; and a number of sipes formed in at least some of the blocks, and each of which extends radially inwards of a corresponding block, from a top surface forming the rolling surface of the tread band; each sipe has a wave pattern when the corresponding block is viewed in any one of three planes perpendicular to one another and defined by a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a radial axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emiliano Sabetti, Massimo Mangia
  • Patent number: 9994080
    Abstract: An air supply system on a vehicle for inflating and deflating a tire. The system includes a compressor connected to a drier having drying material to extract water from the air and a deflation line connectable between the tire and the dryer. The air dryer is operable in a first mode in which air passing through the dryer in a first direction is dried by the dryer and a second regeneration mode in which air passes through the dryer in a direction opposite to the first to remove water collected by the dryer, characterized in that the air used for the regeneration is air deflated from the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Hoeldrich
  • Patent number: 9994081
    Abstract: A device (10) is disclosed for providing air to a tire which is mounted on a wheel rim which itself is free to rotate about a fixed, that is, non-rotatable axle 22. The device includes a pump (50, 52, 54, 62) which in use rotates with the tire and which is configured to provide, when activated, air under pressure to the tire. There is a pump drive system for activating the pump. The pump drive system comprising a piston rod (56) which is connected to and rotates with the tire and a body (40) which rotates in unison with the rod (56) while the pump is inactive. An electric motor (68) rotates the body (40) with respect to the rod (56) to activate the pump and provide air to the tire. Rotation of the body (40) is superimposed on rotation of the pump with the tire. The device also includes a stator component (26) and coils (30) and magnets (32) for generating, by electrical induction, power for driving the motor using the relative rotation between the second part and the stator component (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: PressureRite (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventor: Pierre Van Wyk Becker
  • Patent number: 9994082
    Abstract: A vehicle tire monitoring methodology is based on embedding into a tire at least one tire inductor coil with multiple circumferential windings. A tire condition that causes deformation of the tire, causes deformation of the tire inductor coil. A tire condition (such as pressure, speed, damage or deterioration) can be monitored by acquiring tire coil response measurements corresponding to an inductive response to the tire condition that causes deformation of the tire, and thereby deformation of the tire inductor coil, and then converting the tire coil response into data representing the tire condition. Multiple circumferential tire inductor coils can be embedded (such as into the tread and/or sidewalls), so that tire monitoring can involve acquiring respective tire coil responses corresponding to a tire condition that causes differential tire coil responses (such as steering direction), which can be converted into data representing the tire condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland, GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Christian Seboe, Vlad Tiberiu Craciunescu
  • Patent number: 9994083
    Abstract: A pipe-shaped member of the present invention is a pipe-shaped member (1) which includes a flat plate portion (1h1, 1h2) placed in at least one end portion (1a1) of two end portions of the pipe, formed in a flat plate shape, and including groove-shaped recessed portions (ta1, tb1, tb2) formed in one and another extended surfaces in the flat plate shape. The recessed portions (ta1, tb1, tb2) are formed such that the flat plate portion (1h1, 1h2) has at least a substantially W-shape, in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the flat plate portion (1h1, 1h2), and with a depth not reaching a boundary (1ha) between one plate (1h1) and the other plate (1h2) of the flat plate portion (1h1, 1h2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Katsuno
  • Patent number: 9994084
    Abstract: A bulkhead for a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) is provided. The bulkhead is configured to create optimal air flow on both a front side (e.g. the side where the condenser unit is located) and a rear side (e.g. the side where the evaporator unit is located) of the bulkhead, provide structural support for various components of the TRU, and provide a thermal barrier between the front side and the rear side. Also, the bulkhead is configured to include an access door and a service opening that allows a user to access TRU components located on the rear side of the bulkhead via the front side of the bulkhead. Further, the rear side of the bulkhead is configured to provide a removal support shelf that can be used as a resting surface or a sliding surface for removing components located on the rear side of the bulkhead out of the TRU from the front side of the TRU via the service opening by removing the access door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Selvam Packiarajan, John David Sweazey, Tye Scott Sonney
  • Patent number: 9994085
    Abstract: A ventilation unit for motor vehicles comprises a tubular element (5) fitted, through an opening (4) in the chassis (1) of the motor vehicle, and a hub (8), coaxial with the tubular element (5), which mounts an electric motor (10) for driving an impeller (12) fitted with blades (15); the motor and impeller are supported by connecting means (7) which are provided between the tubular element (5) and the hub (8) and which define a grille (20) for protecting the opening (4); these connecting means are suitably shaped to define means for regulating the air flow generated by the impeller (12), in such a way as to increase efficiency and reduce noise; the unit (2) also comprises a cover (21) for protecting the motor (10), fitted with means (24) for quick connection/disconnection to/from the hub (8) and defining, between the hub and the motor, openings (26) to allow the passage of the air flow moved by the impeller in such a way as to cool the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SPAL AUTOMOTIVE S.r.L
    Inventor: Pietro De Filippis
  • Patent number: 9994086
    Abstract: A main semiconductor device for controlling an air conditioner provided in a vehicle and selectively connected to an air-conditioning panel semiconductor that controls an air-conditioning panel may include: an analog circuit unit and a digital circuit unit, an input module receiving sensor information for controlling the air conditioner, a motor driving module driving one or more motors provided in the air conditioner, a voltage regulator module regulating a voltage supplied to each module of the main semiconductor device, and a control module controlling the motor driving module based on the sensor information received by the input module, and constantly supplying a voltage to each module of the main semiconductor device by controlling the voltage regulator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Kim, Yongwook Kwon, Sukyoung Rho, Junekyu Park
  • Patent number: 9994087
    Abstract: A vehicular heat management system has a compressor, a heat-medium heating heat exchanger, and a flow adjustment part. The compressor draws and discharges a refrigerant. The heat-medium heating heat exchanger causes a heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a heat medium other than air and heats the heat medium. The flow adjustment part causes a flow of a cooling fluid cooling the refrigerant when the compressor is stopped. The vehicular heat management system further has a refrigeration cycle unit and a refrigerant-flow-path forming member. The refrigeration cycle unit includes devices configuring a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant-flow-path forming member (i) is disposed in a low-temperature area having an air temperature that is lower than an air temperature in an area in which the refrigeration cycle unit is disposed, and (ii) passes a refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiko Enomoto, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Yoshiki Katoh, Hiroshi Kishita, Masamichi Makihara
  • Patent number: 9994088
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least one seat, an engine, a plurality of ground engaging members, a windshield, and a wiper assembly connected to the upper portion of the windshield. The wiper assembly has a wiper motor, a reservoir, a wiper arm pivotally connected to the upper portion of the windshield, a wiper blade connected to the wiper arm, and a sprayer connected to the wiper arm and fluidly connected to the reservoir. The wiper motor selectively pivots the wiper arm and the wiper blade between a stowed position and a pivoted position. The wiper blade has a first side and a second side. The first side is above the second side in the stowed position. The sprayer is configured for spraying a fluid only on the surface of the windshield away from the first side of the wiper blade. A method for wiping a windshield is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Nicolas Roy
  • Patent number: 9994089
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a lift gate operable between the open and closed positions and includes an interior trim panel. A track assembly is positioned on a perimeter of the interior trim panel. A curtain is coupled to the track assembly and configured to hang from the lift gate in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman, Ryan Welch
  • Patent number: 9994090
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sun shading device, a sun shading method and a transportation vehicle. The sun shading device comprises a support and a light adjusting device provided on the support, the light adjusting device at least partially blocks external light by adjusting its light transmission rate. In the technical solutions of the sun shading device, the sun shading method based on the sun shading device, and the transportation vehicle comprising the sun shading device provided in the present invention, the sun shading device may not only block light, but also avoid blocking a user's view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wenbo Li
  • Patent number: 9994091
    Abstract: A window system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a window including an inner transparent layer, an outer transparent layer and a pixelated layer interposed therebetween. The pixelated layer includes a two-dimensional array of electrochromic cells and an electrode array that is electrically connected to the electrochromic cells. A controller determines, via an incident light monitoring subsystem, a field of view of a passenger and determines an intensity of incident light in relation to the field of view of the passenger. The controller is disposed to command a passenger compartment incident light management subsystem to activate selected electrochromic cells in the transparent window based upon the intensity of the incident light in relation to the field of view of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Kaphengst, Jamie L. Hamilton, Michael P. Van De Velde, Lara Jane S. Hadlocon, Breitner S. Marczewski, Dorel M. Sala, Ramona L. Winarski, Anthony J. Stefanski, Kyle Greene
  • Patent number: 9994092
    Abstract: A panel structure includes a first panel that is made of resin and has a first flange portion, and a second panel that is made of resin and has a second flange portion that overlaps the first flange portion and is joined to the first flange portion by an adhesive, and an abutting portion that abuts against a tip end portion of the first flange portion. The second panel forms a closed sectional shape (a hollow chamber) with the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 9994093
    Abstract: A guide is presented intended for use in a sunshade assembly of the type comprising a flexible sunscreen having opposed longitudinal edges and two opposed longitudinal guides each comprising at least two spaced guide legs for defining there between a guide channel for receiving therein and guiding corresponding ones of the opposed longitudinal edges of the sunscreen. The guides and longitudinal edges are provided with cooperating guide locking members and edge locking members for preventing the longitudinal edges of the sunscreen from moving out of the guide channels. The guide locking members are defined on separate parts engaging the guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEM GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Rikkert, Theodorus Van Doleweerd, Paulus Johannes Wilhelmus Munsters, Petrus Martinus Josephus Clephas
  • Patent number: 9994094
    Abstract: A profile element for connecting a vehicle window pane to a cover part includes a first connecting area for connecting the profile element to the vehicle window pane and a second connecting area for connecting the profile element to the cover part. A sealing element has at least a first segment and a second segment that are moveable relative to each other. The first segment has a first sealing surface configured to be placed against the vehicle window pane and the second segment has a second sealing surface configured to be placed against the cover part such that the sealing element forms a seal between the vehicle window pane and the cover part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ELKAMET KUNSTSOFFTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Ortmueller
  • Patent number: 9994095
    Abstract: A weather strip for an automobile is provided that prevents formation of an electric circuit caused by an intrusion of snow, water or the like. The weather strip includes an installation base member operatively coupled on a body of an automobile at a periphery edge of an opening corresponding to a door, and a hollow seal member integrally molded with the installation base member. The hollow seal member protrudes to a side of the door at an outer side of the automobile and makes an elastic contact with the door when the door is in a closed position. An entire exposed outer surface of the hollow seal member and an outer surface of the installation base member continued from the hollow seal member are formed sequentially by a non-electric conductive material having the volume resistivity of 106? or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobumasa Sato, Koso Deguchi
  • Patent number: 9994096
    Abstract: There are provided a front weather strip provided between a first roof member and a second roof member, a rear weather strip provided between the second roof member and a third roof member, a roof-side weather strip provided at the second roof member, and a vertical weather strip. Plural partition walls which form the plural vertical flow passages are provided at the vertical weather strip, and a first flow passage for distributing water from the front weather strip to plural vertical flow passages of the vertical weather strip by way of the roof-side weather strip and a second flow passage for distributing water from the rear weather strip to at least one of plural vertical flow passages of the vertical weather strip are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Miwa Shinohara, Keiichiro Nishiura, Hiromu Oda, Akio Okayama
  • Patent number: 9994097
    Abstract: A hail-resistant cover for a vehicle is provided which may include a plurality of cover panels, each cover panel including a cover panel sleeve and an impact resistant cover panel insert. The cover panels may be affixed to each other by flexible cover panel joints which allow the cover panels to fold over onto the adjacent cover panels. The cover may also include anchors for anchoring the cover to the top of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the cover panels are removably affixed to the adjacent cover panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Mallee Corp.
    Inventor: Ming Wai Ching
  • Patent number: 9994098
    Abstract: A multi-mode electro-mechanical variable speed transmission capable of providing two power split operation modes and at least one fixed output-to-input speed ratio operation mode. The transmission includes an input shaft, an output system, at least one planetary gear set having at least a first, second and third co-axial rotatable components, two electric machines, and at least one torque transfer device. The first co-axial rotatable component couples to the first electric machine with a constant speed ratio; the second co-axial rotatable component couples to the output system with a constant speed ratio; and the third co-axial rotatable component couples to the input shaft with a constant speed ratio; the second electric machine selectively couples to two different co-axial rotatable components of the planetary gear set with two different speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Xiaolin Ai, Xiaozhi Ai, Alan Jiang Ai
  • Patent number: 9994099
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for operations of an electrically motorized vehicle. The vehicle can utilize an electrically motorized wheel to convert a non-motorized wheeled vehicle to an electrically motorized wheeled vehicle. One system includes a server in communication with the device of each of a plurality of electrically motorized wheels, the server operable to track a position of each of the electrically motorized wheels and communicate the position thereof to a transportation network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Superpedestrian, Inc.
    Inventors: Assaf Biderman, Ruben Cagnie
  • Patent number: 9994100
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a shutter system cooperating with at least one grille opening in the body of a vehicle. The shutter system includes a shutter assembly to regulate airflow entering through the at least one grille opening. The shutter assembly includes a frame and at least one vane operably connected to the frame and selectively positionable between at least an open position and a closed position. The at least one vane includes a body shaped as a cambered airfoil defining a leading edge and an opposing trailing edge. The at least one vane is pivotally connected at a pivot point and is adjustable relative to the frame between at least the open position and the closed position in response to an airflow entering through the at least one grille opening interacting with the leading edge of the body of the at least one vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Del Gaizo, William Fang
  • Patent number: 9994101
    Abstract: The inside wall of a fuel tank, and a sub-component are provided with locking means in the form of complementary formations that allow the sub-component to be coupled to the inside surface of the fuel tank wall. Interlocking of the complementary formations is achieved by moving the sub-component towards the wall providing angular movement to the sub-component relative to the fuel tank. A biasing structure imparts a tension between the sub-component and the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Jeff Yager, Daniel Butum, Kent T. Salvilla, William Matthew Foster, Daniel Hall, Billy L. Downey, Jr., Travis J. Donley
  • Patent number: 9994102
    Abstract: A transmission includes a primary drive gear fixed to an input shaft and an idler gear meshing with the primary drive gear. A transmission pump is arranged to receive power from the idler gear. A power take-off unit is mounted to a case of the transmission and includes an input shaft having a first gear meshing with the idler gear and a second gear. An output shaft has a third gear meshing with the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard Simon, Nicholas Brandon Chase, Joe Alexander Bousamra
  • Patent number: 9994103
    Abstract: A transfer for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a case, an input shaft, a output shaft, a output member, a friction clutch, an actuator, a pressing mechanism, a locking sleeve, a first locking sleeve driving mechanism, and a second locking sleeve driving mechanism. The second locking sleeve driving mechanism is configured to move a locking sleeve independently of the actuator and the first locking sleeve driving mechanism. The second locking sleeve driving mechanism includes a pushpin. The pushpin is configured to move in a second axial direction that is perpendicular to a first axial direction and engage with a cam groove. The pushpin is configured to move the locking sleeve toward the output member side as the locking sleeve rotates when the pushpin is engaged with the cam groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Takaira, Takayuki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9994104
    Abstract: A vehicle traction control system for a vehicle includes a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a ground-engaging implement moveable relative to the support surface. The traction control system also includes a controller operable to monitor wheel slip of the at least one wheel. The controller is operable to move the ground-engaging implement at a rate proportional to an amount of wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek, Jeffrey L. Theusch
  • Patent number: 9994105
    Abstract: A working machine having a body supported on a ground engaging structure and a working arm mounted to the body so as capable of performing working operations. The working machine having a drive arrangement to propel the working machine including a prime mover and a hydrostatic transmission including at least one hydraulic pump driven by the prime mover, and at least one motor driven by hydraulic fluid. The working machine also having a hand throttle for selectively setting the power output of the prime mover, a foot throttle for dynamically adjusting the power output of the prime mover in a first mode of operation, wherein the transmission is configured to operate in a second mode of operation when a predetermined criterion is met, and in the second mode the foot throttle directly controls the speed of movement of the ground engaging structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Roberts
  • Patent number: 9994107
    Abstract: A dial gauge assembly includes a single circuit board that supports light emitting diodes for both illuminating a pointer and backlighting a liquid crystal display. The dial gauge assembly controls illumination of the pointer by switching on and off a plurality of segments disposed within the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichi Takato