Patents Issued in July 17, 2018
  • Patent number: 10023209
    Abstract: A method and system for a rotational multi-track railway switch-junction. The rotational multi-track railway junction comprises one or more incoming tracks and a plurality of outgoing tracks connected by a rotating platform to a plurality of stationary track sections. The rotational platform provides a connection between at least one of the incoming tracks and at least one of the outgoing tracks and can be automatically controlled and locked in a given position. Thus, costs and an overall size of a railway junction are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Valentin I. Kulikov
  • Patent number: 10023210
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to tracking location of operator control units for locomotives. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling a locomotive. The operator control unit also includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to receive location information of the operator control unit, and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is configured to transmit command data corresponding to the one or more commands and location data corresponding to the location information to a machine control unit on the locomotive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: André Brousseau, Jeremy Jovenall
  • Patent number: 10023211
    Abstract: A train position detecting device includes: a GPS position guarantee range calculation part for calculating, based on a result of measurement of a position of a train by GPS signals; a tachogenerator-position guarantee range calculation part for calculating, based on a result of measurement of a position of the train by a tachometer generator that measures a relative distance from a measurement carried out previously; and a position determination part that determines, between an end part of the GPS position guarantee range in the first-direction and an end part of the tachogenerator-position guarantee range in the first-direction, a position of an end part on the positive side of the second direction to be a position of the end part of the train in the first-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takaya Katsuragi, Koki Yoshimoto, Wataru Tsujita, Tomoaki Takewa
  • Patent number: 10023212
    Abstract: Hand truck with an adjustable wheel axle suitable for manual transport of heavy objects, comprising: an elongate and substantially planar main frame, a load plate fixedly connected to the front side of the main frame and at the lower end, an axle suspension comprising a rigid body which is fixedly connected to the rear side of the main frame and close to the lower end; a wheel axle, both ends of which are provided with a wheel and which is disposed rotatably inside the axle suspension, wherein the axle suspension comprises a guide for guiding the wheel axle over a path between a low and a high stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNO GROUP BENELUX B.V.
    Inventors: Suijkerbuijk Ludo, Suijkerbuijk André
  • Patent number: 10023213
    Abstract: A disc golf transport system to allow the movement of disc golf paraphernalia about a course utilizing existing or specialized backpacks. The system uses a three wheeled manual pull cart that has a five point adjustable suspension system incorporating two adjustable, lockable upper arms with peg horns extending therefrom; two pivotable lower arms with length and angle adjustable means for attachment; and a central attachment member. All of the five attachment points allow an attached packpack to be drawn taut from five different points so as to secure, and position the bag in the cart for both easy content access and maximum transit stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Jerry Alvin Corcoran
  • Patent number: 10023214
    Abstract: A device for moving a load is provided. The device includes a platform defining a surface and an edge extending downward therefrom. The device further includes two pairs of opposing legs each defining a top portion pivotally engaged with the platform interior of the edge, wherein each pair of legs has an extended position where each leg extends away from the edge. Each pair of legs further includes a collapsed position where the top portion of each leg extends substantially parallel and interior to the edge, a middle portion of each leg extends through a corresponding slot defined by the edge, and a bottom portion of each leg extends substantially parallel and exterior to the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: 2S Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: George Stewart, Ty Hagler
  • Patent number: 10023215
    Abstract: A pedal driven cart system combining pedals and a cart includes a shopping cart. A pedal unit is provided. The pedal unit is removably coupled to the shopping cart. Thus, the pedal unit is pedaled thereby facilitating the shopping cart to be rolled along a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Ramzi Salha
  • Patent number: 10023216
    Abstract: A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hannah, Scott J. Carter, Jesse M. James
  • Patent number: 10023217
    Abstract: An infant stroller apparatus includes a front leg frame having a first side segment, a handle frame having a second side segment pivotally coupled with the first side segment via a first pivot connection, a rear leg frame having a third and a fourth side segment pivotally coupled with each other via a second pivot connection, the third side segment being further pivotally coupled with the first side segment via a third pivot connection, and the fourth side segment being further pivotally coupled with the second side segment via a fourth pivot connection, a seat portion pivotally coupled with the first side segment via a fifth pivot connection, and a support frame portion respectively coupled with the seat portion and the fourth side segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Daniel A. Sack, Ryan N. Miller, Curtis M. Hartenstine
  • Patent number: 10023218
    Abstract: A carrier mounting (3a, 3b) for supporting an infant carrier on a pushchair chassis, the mounting comprising a socket member having a first socket (17) and a second socket (19) therein, both sockets being configured to receive a correspondingly shaped mounting strut of an infant carrier. The socket member is pivotable between first and second positions such that when the carrier mounting is connected to a pushchair chassis, the first or second socket (17, 19) respectively is locatable in a receiving position in which a longitudinal axis of the respective socket bore is oriented with respect to the pushchair chassis at an angle suitable for receiving a mounting strut of an infant carrier. When the second socket (19) is in its receiving position, said second socket (19) supports the infant carrier at a higher point on the pushchair chassis than the first socket (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Silver Cross (IP) Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Paxton, Philip Taylor
  • Patent number: 10023219
    Abstract: The snow surface skimmer is provided with: a skimmer body; a steering handle, which extends upward at a slant from the skimmer body; a seat installed on a region of the skimmer body that is behind the steering handle; and a skimming board. The skimming board is detachably attached to the bottom surface of the skimmer body by a skimmer attachment mechanism so that the attachment position in the front-back direction is adjustable. A skimming board suited to the skimming person's body type, build, etc. can be attached to the skimmer body at the appropriate position in the front-back direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Sawato Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 10023220
    Abstract: A cart ski system for urging a cart along a granular support surface includes a cart that may be rolled along a support surface. The cart has a set of rear wheels and a set of front wheels. A pair of skis is provided and each of the wheels is positioned in a corresponding one of the skis. Each of the skis slides along the support surface when the support surface is comprised of a granular material thereby enhancing urging the cart along the granular material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Avedis Samuelian
  • Patent number: 10023221
    Abstract: This steering wheel structure has: a steering wheel main unit; a horn block; a support block; horn contacts; and a horn spring, wherein the support block has: a lock member; and an elastic body, wherein a load bypass member is provided that transmits an operation load in a push-in direction, which has been applied to the horn block, to the lock member while circumventing the elastic body, and wherein the load bypass member is configured so as to be in a non-contact state between itself and at least either of the horn block side and the lock member side when the horn block is in a vicinity of a default position, and so as to be brought into contact with the horn block side and the lock member side in a manner capable of transmitting a load when the horn block is pushed in by a predetermined amount or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya Obayashi, Eisuke Kurata, Takashi Kondo
  • Patent number: 10023222
    Abstract: An energy absorption assembly includes a first energy absorption strap and a second energy absorption strap. The first energy absorption strap is coupled to a lower jacket assembly and is coupled to an upper jacket assembly. The energy absorption strap defines a first opening and a second opening. The second energy absorption strap is disposed about the first energy absorption strap. The second energy absorption strap is coupled to the first energy absorption strap. The second energy absorption strap defines a third opening proximately aligned with the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 10023223
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an energy absorption assembly, an adjustment lever, and a rocker member. The energy absorption assembly has an energy absorption strap and a cam member. The adjustment lever is operatively connected to at least one of the upper jacket assembly and the lower jacket assembly. The rocker member has a rocker member body that extends between a first end connected to the adjustment lever and a second end configured to engage the cam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, James C. Russell, Randy W. Jones
  • Patent number: 10023224
    Abstract: A cowl cross member for a vehicle is provided. The cowl cross member includes a cowl cross bar that has first and second ends fixed to an interior panel of a front pillar of the vehicle and is disposed in a horizontal direction at a front side of a vehicle body, with a steering column fixed thereto. A center support is vertically disposed to support a central portion of the cowl cross bar to couple the cowl cross bar at a predetermined height and is configured to adjust a length of the center support during a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Hyun An, Jung Yoon Jang
  • Patent number: 10023225
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a motor-driven power steering system can inhibit a change in steering feeling which may be caused by abrasion and degradation of components in the motor-driven power steering system, and maintain initial steering feeling. The method determines a torque compensation amount by comparing a reference value with change ratio average data of steering torque with respect to a steering angle, and compensates for driver input torque in accordance with the determined torque compensation amount, such that it is possible to effectively inhibit the change in steering feeling which may be caused by abrasion and degradation of components, and maintain the initial steering feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, MANDO Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Bok Lee, Nam Young Kim, Tae Soo Chi, Sang Hyuk Lee, O Sung Kwon, Duck Hwan Kim, Seong Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 10023226
    Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric power steering apparatus that constitutes a control system based on a physical model, constitutes a model following control that an output (a distance to a rack end) of a controlled object follows-up to a reference model, suppresses the occurrences of a noisy sound and a shock force at an end hitting without giving any uncomfortable steering feeling to a driver, and is capable of smoothly steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Sakaguchi, Toshikazu Onoe, Satoshi Shimokawabe
  • Patent number: 10023227
    Abstract: A steering assistance control apparatus includes a positional deviation calculator, a relative yaw angle calculator, a target value calculator, and a steering driver. The positional deviation calculator calculates a lateral positional deviation between an own vehicle and a preceding vehicle, based on a detection signal by a sensor. The relative yaw angle calculator calculates a relative yaw angle, in which the relative yaw angle is an angle formed by a traveling direction of the own vehicle and a traveling direction of the preceding vehicle. The target value calculator calculates a steering-related control target value, based on the lateral positional deviation and the relative yaw angle. The steering driver that drives a steering mechanism, based on the control target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Kubo
  • Patent number: 10023228
    Abstract: A steering device is provided which allows the vehicle to move laterally and turn with a small radius, without using a complicated mechanism, and capable of stably controlling the steering angle during such modes. The steering device includes a pair of rack bars connected, respectively, to front right and front left vehicle wheels or rear right and rear left vehicle wheels, synchronizing gears disposed between the pair of rack bars, a synchronizing gear box retaining the synchronizing gears, a rack case fixed to the frame of the vehicle, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the synchronizing gear box to the rack case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ohba, Tomomi Ishikawa, Taisuke Igi, Yuya Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10023229
    Abstract: A steering input apparatus for a trailer backup assist system includes a control element operable in a first movement mode into an instantaneous one of a plurality of curvature commanding positions and in a second movement mode to an input position of a plurality of menu command positions. The steering input further includes a control module generating a vehicle steering command based on the instantaneous one of the curvature commanding positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 10023230
    Abstract: A driving assisting section includes a collision avoidance assisting section, which performs collision avoidance assistance for avoiding collision between a vehicle to be assisted and an object by prompting turning of the vehicle. The driving assisting section further includes a lane-keeping assisting section, which performs lane keeping assistance. An assist arbitrating section arbitrates between the collision avoidance assistance by the collision avoidance assisting section and the lane keeping assistance by the lane-keeping assisting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minami Sato
  • Patent number: 10023231
    Abstract: Technology is described for parking autonomous vehicles. An autonomous vehicle may receive an instruction to park the autonomous vehicle. The instruction may be received when the autonomous vehicle is in a preselected location. The autonomous vehicle may select at least one parking area that potentially has available parking spaces to park the autonomous vehicle using, in part, a defined set of parking criteria. Commands may be provided to drive the autonomous vehicle to the parking area. The autonomous vehicle may be configured to select an available parking space within the parking area to park the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may send a confirmation message after the autonomous vehicle is parked in the available parking space within the parking area. The confirmation message may include a parking location associated with the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Madhusoodhan Ramanujam
  • Patent number: 10023232
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a bracket 21 that is placed on a lower portion of a front side frame 12; and a front subframe 16 that is attached to a lower portion of the bracket with a bolt 22. The bracket includes: a closed-end hollow bracket body 30 that is suspended from the front side frame; a bulkhead 40 that is located above a bottom plate 31 of the bracket body and vertically partitions the bracket body; and a collar 50 that extends from the bulkhead to the bottom plate of the bracket body. A thickness t2 of the bulkhead is smaller than a thickness t1 of the bracket body. The bulkhead joined to the bracket body has a bulkhead-side flange 44 joined to the front side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Kita, Kanji Kaneko, Hirotaka Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10023233
    Abstract: An auxiliary frame for supporting elements of a front suspension of a motor-vehicle includes two end supports for connection thereto of suspension elements and a structure which connects the end supports to each other. The connecting structure has a front beam and a rear beam which connect the end supports to each other. The rear beam has an arch-like configuration which extends substantially in a horizontal plane, with a central portion arranged in a forwardly spaced position. The front beam of the connecting structure has a configuration which is substantially straight and perpendicular to a vertical median plane of the auxiliary frame. The front beam and the rear beam are longitudinally spaced from each other and connected to each other by at least two lateral longitudinal arms spaced from each other and which have a configuration substantially straight and parallel to the vertical median plane of the auxiliary frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: C.R.F. SocietĂ  Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Silvano Sandri, Maurizio Meneguzzo, Massimo Biasiolo
  • Patent number: 10023234
    Abstract: An All-Terrain Vehicle with a frame comprising an arcuate shape or an elevated portion with an apex. In one embodiment, the arcuate shape or elevated portion with an apex is located between a rear axis and a front axis such that there is additional clearance over a typical non arcuate frame or a flat frame for a given ride height. The arcuate shape may be a lateral arcuate shape. The frame may also provide for additional structural strength. The frame may also include the ability to attach periphery accessories such as an engine cage, a passenger cage, trailing arms, power train and transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Kariniemi
  • Patent number: 10023235
    Abstract: An automobile body and a method for manufacturing the same is provided in which a substantially rectangular windshield joining face is formed by a front roof arch, a front portion of roof side rails and a dash panel upper of a lower skeleton. Since the upper skeleton and the lower skeleton can be separated, there is the problem that a gap occurs between lower ends of the roof side rails of the upper skeleton and the vehicle width direction outer ends of the dash panel upper of the lower skeleton, and the windshield joining face is discontinuous. Extension parts are provided inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower ends of the roof side rails, and the vehicle width direction inner ends of the extension parts are connected to the vehicle width direction outer ends of the dash panel upper, thereby eliminating discontinuity of the windshield joining face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahira Kawata, Minoru Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10023236
    Abstract: A column for a motor vehicle body shell structure and a method for producing the same is disclosed. The column includes a column body which has a first material in a first region and a second material in a second region, where the second region is a reinforcement region. The first region is produced by forging and the reinforcement region is formed by a reinforcement insert and/or a reinforcement core and is forged into, reforged in, forged to, or formed on the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Stylianos Kirtzakis, Michael Bendiks, Florian Spitzmueller, Manfred Kempf, Juergen Thalemann
  • Patent number: 10023237
    Abstract: A beam provided with at least one first part that has a main body with an overall U-shaped straight cross-section provided with lateral flanges protruding outwards from the sides of the U, the main body further comprising a bottom part as well as two wings forming the sides of the U. The central portion of the main body defines cells working under tension and under compression, respectively, on either side of a neutral main bending axis formed by two transition zones, which are each located between the U-shaped element and a lateral flange. The bottom part of the main body comprises at least one transition formed by a curvature discontinuity. And at least one wing comprises at least one transition formed by a curvature discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOTECH ENGINEERING A.I.E.
    Inventors: Xavier Valencia Carrio, Sergi Marquez Duran, Lluis Espana De Juan, Christophe Cazes, Gregory Gatard, Vincent Barelli, Emmanuel Leroy, Matthieu Dunand, Matthieu Niess
  • Patent number: 10023238
    Abstract: A front pillar lower outer includes a bent portion, and a first region and a second region, and is a skeletal component for automobile that is assumed to receive a collision load along the extending direction of the first region. The outer is constituted by attaching a first member that is arranged on a first region side, and a second member that is arranged on a second region side. An attachment line of the both members is arranged in a predetermined zone between a first boundary and a second boundary. The plate thickness of the first member is larger than the plate thickness of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Saito, Yoshiaki Nakazawa, Kenichiro Otsuka, Yasuhiro Ito
  • Patent number: 10023239
    Abstract: A vehicle hood covering an underhood object includes an inner surface of the vehicle hood facing the underhood object and spaced from the underhood object, and an outer surface of the vehicle hood opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. The local energy absorber is a multiply-connected structure. The local energy absorber includes a wall defining an interior surface having symmetry about a central plane normal to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. A plurality of apertures is defined in the wall symmetrically about the central plane to initiate buckling and fracture in the wall during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Hanif Muhammad, Louis G. Hector, Jr., Anil K. Sachdev
  • Patent number: 10023240
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body includes a side member and with an at least two-shell wheelhouse supported against the latter. An upper wheelhouse shell and a lower wheelhouse shell at least regionally overlap each other and are joined together. Each wheelhouse shell exhibits a passage opening for arranging a strut mount toward the top in the vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Jose Sousa Dias, Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 10023241
    Abstract: An air flow adjusting structure for a vehicle includes: a fender liner provided above a tire in a vehicle vertical direction, the fender liner including an arch such that an air flow passage is formed between the arch and the tire; and an adjusting rib projecting from the arch in a vehicle-downward direction, the adjusting rib being inclined relative to a vehicle-width direction, and extending in a direction that intersects with a vehicle-longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akira Umemoto
  • Patent number: 10023242
    Abstract: A weight is provided for a mud flap with the mud flap having an upper end, a lower end, a first side, a second side, a front side and a rear side. The weight of this invention is comprised of a first support member and a second support member. The first support member is positioned at the rearward side of the lower end of the mud flap and the second support member is positioned at the front side of the mud flap at the lower end thereof. Bolts extend through the first support member, the mud flap and the second support member to secure the weight to the lower end of the mud flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventors: Adam J. Wurzer, Terry D. Wurzer, David T. Wurzer
  • Patent number: 10023243
    Abstract: A cutaway bus is provided with a monocoque body attached to an OEM cab frame having the chassis removed. The bus body includes a horizontal frame to which panels are attached to define a continuous, non-stepped floor for the passenger area of the bus. The floor resides at a lower level than the OEM cab frame. The bus entryway is sloped and includes a deployable ramp for wheelchair ingress and egress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ARBOC Specialty Vehicles LLC
    Inventors: Barry Roy Hines, Kelvin Tetzloff, Donald Wayne Roberts
  • Patent number: 10023244
    Abstract: A reinforcement assembly for a rear rail of a vehicle is disclosed that includes inner and outer bulwark brackets. The brackets include radially extending walls that are welded to inner and outer walls and a bottom wall of the rear rail. A barrel nut is assembled between the bulwark brackets and retained by the bulwark brackets at an intermediate location between the side walls of the rear rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Amol Kurane, Benjamin Lee, Richard Edward Pietron, Jr., James Royse, Jamie March
  • Patent number: 10023245
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body includes a rear wheel housing with a wheel well that accommodates a rear wheel and a wall section upwardly projecting form the wheel well. A C-pillar inner wall is fastened to the wall section along a first fastening zone and overlaps an opening formed in the wall section between the first fastening zone and wheel well. A weld joins the C-pillar inner wall and a C-pillar outer wall together at the level of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 10023246
    Abstract: A bulkhead, which is a press-formed product, includes a top plate part, side flange parts and corner flange parts. The side flange parts each extend from respective sides of the top plate part. The corner flange parts each extend from respective corner parts of the top plate part. The corner flange part connects the side flange parts to each other. In the corner flange part, a part having a minimum value of plate thickness is present in a central portion in a circumferential direction, and parts having a maximum value of the plate thickness are present on both sides thereof. A ratio of the maximum value and the minimum value is in a range of more than 1.0 to 1.6 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ito, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10023247
    Abstract: A stake pocket anchor attaches an accessory to a vehicle stake pocket. The stake pocket anchor includes an anchor assembly hung from a tensioning member. The anchor assembly includes two channel members slidably attached to sandwich a center block, with an angled slide direction that enables sliding either upwardly and inwardly to a minimum anchor assembly width or downwardly and outwardly to a maximum anchor assembly width. During use, the anchor assembly gravitationally releases to its maximum anchor assembly width after being inserted through the stake pocket opening. The tensioning member is then used to vertically raise the anchor assembly within the stake pocket until a top of the anchor assembly contacts a bottom surface of the lip and thereafter allows further tightening of the anchor assembly against the bottom surface of the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Curt Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Joel D. Diller, Robert G. Fehr, Wolfe C. Parzyck
  • Patent number: 10023248
    Abstract: The sliding tailgate is adapted for use with an automobile. The automobile is further defined with a working space. The working space is an interior space within which the load carried by the automobile is stored. The sliding tailgate is an apparatus upon which the tailgate of the automobile is attached such that: 1) the tailgate can be opened and closed to provide access into the working space of the automobile; and, 2) the tailgate can be retracted to a location underneath the working space to provide less restricted access to the working space of the automobile. The sliding tailgate comprises a storage slot, a mounting structure, a track system, and a locking system. The track system is contained within the storage slot. The mounting structure attaches the tailgate to the track system. The locking system locks the tailgate in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Michael Harlan
  • Patent number: 10023249
    Abstract: A drag reducing apparatus is provided for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes an exterior cover that forms a drag reducing shape when the apparatus is fully extended. The apparatus can be retracted to a space saving configuration. A scissors linkage extends and retracts the apparatus. The scissors linkage can be motorized, and the motor can extend the scissors linkage by turning in a first direction and can retract the apparatus by turning in a second direction. The scissors linkage can hold the exterior cover taut when the apparatus is fully extended. The scissors linkage can support the exterior cover at intermediate locations when the apparatus is not fully extended. The apparatus can include support linkages and intermediate moveable members that support the exterior cover and define the drag reducing shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 10023250
    Abstract: Provided are multi-tread vehicles and methods of operating such vehicles to access small interior spaces. A multi-tread vehicle may include two or more tread sections such that each pair of adjacent tread sections is interconnected by a connector section. Furthermore, each pair may have one or more degrees of articulations, such as being pivotable with respect to each other around one or more axis and/or being bendable with respect to each other around one or more axis. These articulation degrees may be provided by the connector section and/or by couplings between the connector section and each tread section. In some embodiments, each tread section may include two portions detachably coupled to each other. This detachable coupling may be used for disassembly of the multi-tread vehicle after or even during its use, for example, when only a portion of the vehicle needs to be retrieved from an interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregg W. Podnar
  • Patent number: 10023251
    Abstract: A track roller assembly may have a track roller, a roller shaft and collars press fit onto either end of the roller shaft to retain the track roller on the roller shaft with an axial clearance between the collars and the track roller. During assembly, the collars may be press fit onto the shaft ends and forced axially inwardly until further axial movement of the collars is prevented by engagement shoulders of the track roller. A compressive axial load may be applied to the roller shaft to reduce a shaft length of the roller shaft and to cause the roller shaft to slide inwardly relative to the collars. The compressive axial load is removed from the roller shaft so that the roller shaft extends back to the normal shaft length and the collars move axially farther apart as the roller shaft extends back to the normal shaft length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Recker
  • Patent number: 10023252
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an intermodal container comprises a metal box, and left and right wheel assemblies. The box includes a front wall, a rear door opposite the front wall along a longitudinal direction, first and second sidewalls that oppose one another along a lateral direction, a top wall, a bottom wall that opposes the top wall along a vertical direction, and a structural frame. The left and right wheel assemblies are spaced from one another along the lateral direction. Each one of the wheel assemblies includes an axle and at least one tire mounted on the axle. The wheel assemblies are movable between an extended position in which the tires extend below the first and second sidewalls in the vertical direction so as to be engageable with a ground surface, and a retracted position in which the first and second sidewalls extend below the tires along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Bjone
  • Patent number: 10023253
    Abstract: A bicycle fork protector and stand comprising a wheelset having at least one or two miniature wheels and an axle on the wheelset for engaging a bicycle fork at the bicycle dropouts to protect the fork from damage and maintain the fork blades in a correct spatial arrangement for storage and/or transport of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: BOPWORX LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Gerard McGriskin, Ciara Anne McGriskin, Cian Desmond O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10023254
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a scooter is provided and is movable from a substantially upright position for a seated user to a lowered position for a standing user. The assembly comprises a seat post and upper and lower mounting plates. The seat post comprises a center plate and side plates connected to opposite sides of the center plate with hinges. Tabs extending from the upper and lower ends of the side plates are mateable with corresponding slots in the upper and lower mounting plates. The upper mounting plate comprises a hinge that is connected to a top edge of the center plate and is attachable to the bottom of a seat. The lower mounting plate comprises a hinge that is connected to a lower edge of the center plate and is attachable to the rear of a foot deck of the scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Stian Nilsen
  • Patent number: 10023255
    Abstract: A combination motorcycle and storage device includes a motorcycle having a rear seat with an internal housing and a rear opening and a storage device includes a bottom panel pivotally attached to a plurality of side panels, the side panels being foldable on the bottom panel, the side panels forming an enclosure and secured to each other via a plurality of locking devices; and a retractable platform. The retractable platform includes a roller bearing assembly fixedly secured within the housing; and an elongated telescoping shaft slidingly engaged with the roller bearing assembly and fixedly secured to a bottom surface of the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Truman R Davis
  • Patent number: 10023256
    Abstract: Disclosed is a streamlined storage system for use with a motorcycle or other similar vehicle seat that does not detract from the riding experience, that is easy and convenient for the rider to access while riding, and that does not substantially increase the overall cost of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas Dale Hessom, Stephen Richard Sader, William Kristopher Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10023257
    Abstract: A waterproof end cap for covering and closing an end hole of a bicycle head tube includes a threaded locking base, a locking member, and a sealing cover. The threaded locking base is engaged in the end hole. The locking member has large- and small-diameter portions. The end of the large-diameter portion that faces away from the small-diameter portion has an outwardly extending annular plate. The small-diameter portion is externally threaded, extends into the end hole, and threadedly connects with the threaded hole of the threaded locking to base such that the annular plate is pulled to cover the end hole. The sealing cover is larger than the annular plate in diameter and has opposite first and second sides. The first side is free of water-holding spaces. The second side covers the annular plate detachably through elastic engagement. Water can neither accumulate on nor leak through the sealing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Chi-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 10023258
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations a motorized tricycle includes a lean mechanism and an active system that is operably coupled to the lean mechanism that receives an signal indicative of an interaction with human, that is operable to detect a lean of the body of the human and that is operable to receive a sensed movement on the seat via multisensory devices, and to generate and send a signal to the lean mechanism from the signal, the lean and the sensed movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TerraCraft Motors Inc.
    Inventors: James Wesley Abbott, Bailey H. Jones