Patents Issued in August 21, 2018
  • Patent number: 10053124
    Abstract: A gas cylinder cart includes a frame, a first control assembly composed of a first control panel wall and a first gas distribution assembly, a second control assembly composed of a second control panel wall and a second gas distribution assembly, and a central manifold connected to each of the first and second control assemblies. The central manifold includes a valve assembly allowing for connection of both the first and second control assemblies to gas cylinders, connection of only one of the first and second control assemblies to gas cylinders, or connection of the first and/or second control assemblies to remote gas sources. Inclusion of the first and second control assemblies within the gas cylinder cart allows for use of the gas cylinder cart in conjunction with different systems that might require different control assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence Shane Intravatola
  • Patent number: 10053125
    Abstract: A cart transportation assembly includes a frame including at least one upright and a top rail supported by the upright(s). The top rail includes a main body portion, an actuation rod, and at least one cart latch coupled to the actuation rod. The actuation rod is movable relative to the main body portion to transition the cart latch(es) between release and restrain positions. A platform provides structural support for the frame and includes a deck for supporting at least one cart. The cart latch(es), when in the release position, is/are adapted to allow movement of the at least one cart on the deck of the platform. The cart latch(es), when in the restrain position, is/are adapted to restrain movement of the at least one cart on the deck of the platform by pulling the at least one cart towards and against or in close proximity to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton Reges, David Hickman, Daniel Magoto
  • Patent number: 10053126
    Abstract: Embodiments of a utility cart according to the solution feature a three front-wheel arrangement on a common axle and a pair of swiveling rear wheels attached to a frame. Certain embodiments feature a sub-frame that is releasably locked to a main frame portion such that, when the locking mechanism is removed, the sub-frame may be lifted to pivot around the front axle and tip a tub aspect carrying a payload. Certain embodiments may also comprise a handle aspect that is slidably engaged with the frame of the cart such that it can be extended to various positions, including being fully disengaged, flipped and reengaged to translate from a push state for a manual user to a pull state for a hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Tony Buttimer
  • Patent number: 10053127
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a utility cart. In some embodiments, the utility cart includes an insulated cold storage compartment; a dry storage compartment, the dry storage compartment configured to retract-ably extend horizontally; a base and front and rear wheels connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Chad Anthony Collins
  • Patent number: 10053128
    Abstract: Trailer hitch attachable carts are disclosed. Methods of making trailer hitch attachable carts, and methods of using trailer hitch attachable carts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BIG KAT BUGGY, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Kevin Rackleff, Roy Elmer Blackburn
  • Patent number: 10053129
    Abstract: An adjustable all-terrain dolly system having a chassis assembly that includes a frame which has a right-side rail, a left-side rail, a first-adjustable cross member and a second-adjustable cross member, and a first-rolling assembly to include a first-set of inline wheels and second-rolling assembly to include a second-set of inline wheels and at least one adjustable-locking mechanism. The adjustable all-terrain dolly system is configured to transport a load over a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Eddie Lee Turner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10053130
    Abstract: A collapsible stroller includes a stroller frame, a folding lock mechanism, a lateral lock mechanism, and a trigger mechanism. The stroller frame includes a right upper side frame member pivotally connected with a right lower side frame member and a left upper side frame member pivotally connected with a left lower side frame member. The folding lock mechanism is capable of a locked state and an unlocked state. The lateral lock mechanism is capable of a locked operating state and an unlocked operating state. The trigger mechanism is on the stroller frame, and actuation of the trigger mechanism moves the folding lock mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state and moves the lateral lock mechanism from the locked operating state to the unlocked operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Conor P. McNamara, Thomas C. Hanson
  • Patent number: 10053131
    Abstract: A basket is detachably mounted on a first mount of a carrier for allowing an infant car seat to be mounted on the carrier. The first mount has a first mounting slot. The basket includes a basket body and a mounting structure. The mounting structure is connected to a side of the basket body. The mounting structure has a body portion, an inserting portion and a mounting portion. The body portion is connected between the mounting portion and the inserting portion. The infant car seat is suspended on a storage space of the basket body when the inserting portion is inserted into the first mounting slot and the infant car seat is mounted on the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Anthony V. Ruggiero, Andrew J. Taylor, Robert E. Haut, Curtis M. Hartenstine
  • Patent number: 10053132
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel has a display unit which is provided in the steering wheel rim and gives the driver an indication on the vehicle steering angle in the manner of a scalar display. The display unit is active at least when the motor vehicle is in an autonomous or highly automated driving move in which the steering wheel does not move, not even when the vehicle negotiates curves. The display unit can operate in a slightly anticipatory manner so as to be able to give an indication on the vehicle steering angle to be set by a control system for the autonomous driving mode on a stretch of road that lies ahead and is visible to the driver. In certain boundary conditions, the display unit can display a vehicle steering angle that is too great or too small, depending on the traveling speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Pitzer
  • Patent number: 10053133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel cover assembly and, particularly, to a vehicle steering wheel cover assembly in which a first electric connecting part and a second electric connecting part are connected to each other by means of magnetic force in order to supply power to a heater installed in the steering wheel cover, to thereby keep the structure simple and also allow the manufacturing cost to be kept low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Ki Wan Park
  • Patent number: 10053134
    Abstract: A steering system includes a column jacket including a lower jacket and an upper jacket; an engagement member; a retaining member; and a buffer member that is retained by the retaining member and contacts the engagement member in a contact direction at a time when the upper jacket is displaced to one sliding end. The retaining member includes a support surface that supports the buffer member; paired holding portions that are respectively disposed on both sides of the buffer member in a circumferential direction of the upper jacket and hold the buffer member toward the support surface; and a restriction portion configured to be engaged with an end of the buffer member on a side toward which an opposite direction is directed, so as to restrict movement of the buffer member in the opposite direction, the opposite direction being opposite to the contact direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakuda, Tomonori Sugiura, Yuji Takahashi, Tatsuro Kubota, Shoji Ishimura, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10053135
    Abstract: A support shaft includes a first supported portion and a second supported portion supported by respective support holes of a pair of fastened portions. The support shaft includes a large-diameter portion including the first supported portion, a small-diameter portion including the second supported portion and having a diameter smaller than the large-diameter portion, and a stepped portion formed between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion. The small-diameter portion includes a tapered portion provided in the small-diameter portion so as to be adjacent to the stepped portion and having a diameter gradually decreasing toward the stepped portion, a first to-be-broken portion placed in a smallest-diameter portion of the tapered portion so as to be broken at a time of a secondary collision, and a second to-be-broken portion placed adjacent to the second supported portion so as to be broken at the time of the secondary collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakuda, Tomonori Sugiura, Tatsuro Kubota, Shoji Ishimura, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10053136
    Abstract: A rotation-linear motion conversion apparatus (10) includes: a rack bar (30) in which a rack gear (32) is formed; a housing (40) that surrounds the rack bar (30); a pinion shaft (20) including a pinion gear (22) that engages with the rack gear (32) and that is inserted inside the housing (40); and a support part (50) that is provided on an opposed surface (41s1), which is opposed to the rack gear (32), of the housing (40) and that supports the rack bar (30) movably in a longitudinal direction of the rack bar (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Sakamoto, Kazuhiko Akiyama, Toshiro Minami
  • Patent number: 10053137
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a rear wheel steering device of which the weight is not added to unsprung weight, and which can steer right and left rear wheels independently of each other. The rear wheel steering device includes a first rod connected to the left rear wheel, a first driving portion configured to axially move the first rod, a second rod connected to the right rear wheel, and a second driving portion configured to axially move the second rod. A single housing supports the first rod, the first driving portion, the second rod, and the second driving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironori Tokunaga, Takashi Koike
  • Patent number: 10053138
    Abstract: A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel T. Foster, Michael Wayne Boshears, Andrew Wayne Grant, Frank Peter Hass, Clifford Allen Jennings, Eric Arthur King, Kenneth Thomas Kroslowitz, Suhas Subhaschandra Malghan, Stephen A. Sywak
  • Patent number: 10053139
    Abstract: An electromechanical servo steering system may include an electric servomotor that drives a worm shaft that meshes with a worm wheel arranged on a steering shaft. The worm wheel is operatively connected to an input shaft of a steering gear mechanism, and the worm shaft and the steering shaft are rotatably mounted in a common gear mechanism housing. The worm shaft has a free end that is remote from the motor and an end that is close to the motor. The end that is remote from the motor is mounted in a rolling bearing, and the end that is close to the motor has a rolling bearing that is received in an eccentric lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG
    Inventors: Johannes Schönlechner, Christian Kohler
  • Patent number: 10053140
    Abstract: A tilting structure for providing a force for tilting a worm shaft of an electrically powered steering apparatus to a worm wheel includes: a guide block which is inserted into an insertion space of a housing of the electrically powered steering apparatus; an elastic member which is disposed within the guide block; and a plug which is movably disposed within the guide block and is elastically supported by the elastic member to exert a tilting force to a bearing which supports the worm shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: erae AMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-Jung Park, Jung-Rak Son, Myung-Chul Jung, Yung-Taek Woo, Chae-Hyo Lim, Jung-Il Lee
  • Patent number: 10053141
    Abstract: A communication system includes a sensor apparatus transmitting a sensor signal including detection information of a detection target as a digital signal and a microcomputer receiving the sensor signal through a signal line and performing a control operation at a predetermined operation cycle based on the sensor signal that is received. The microcomputer transmits, to the sensor apparatus, a synchronization signal which is synchronized with the predetermined operation cycle of the microcomputer. The sensor apparatus transmits the sensor signal at a predetermined constant cycle except when the synchronization signal transmitted by the microcomputer is received. The sensor apparatus changes a transmission timing of the sensor signal corresponding to the synchronization signal when the synchronization signal transmitted by the microcomputer is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Hideki Kabune, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Takaharu Kozawa
  • Patent number: 10053142
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus that performs an assist control of a steering system, including: at least two respectively independent torque sensors and angle sensors, wherein having a function that respectively calculates steering angles from the torque sensors and the angle sensors to utilize, wherein comparison diagnoses of independent signals are performed and also concurrently individual diagnoses of each individual signal are performed, in a case that it is judged that there is an abnormality in the comparison diagnoses, the angle sensor signals are not used, in a case that it is judged that at least one of the individual diagnoses is abnormal, the angle sensor signal is treated as downgrading, and in a case that it is judged that two or more of the individual diagnoses are abnormal, the angle sensor signals are not used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Hisanaga, Fumitoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10053143
    Abstract: A controller for a power steering system estimates rack force and its derivative, such as based on lateral acceleration, yaw rate, vehicle speed, or other parameters. A control torque is calculated based on the rack force, its derivative, and the vehicle speed and is summed with an input torque from the driver to determine an amount of assist torque to provide. The control torque may be a shape function that has a sign determined by the sign of the derivative and a magnitude that decreases from a maximal value with increase in the magnitude of the rack force. The maximal value may be determined according to vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Douglas Scott Rhode, Taehyun Shim, Yijun Li
  • Patent number: 10053144
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting assisting steering torque in a steering system having electronic power assisted steering is provided. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a steering angle change desired by the driver is determined and a range of valid steering angle changes dependent upon the steering angle change desired by the driver are defined. Subsequently it is determined whether a current steering angle change is included in the range of valid steering angle changes, and if the current steering angle change is not included in the range of the valid steering angle changes, the assisting steering torque is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jens Dornhege, Frank Peters Engels, Götz-Philipp Wegner
  • Patent number: 10053145
    Abstract: A target steering angle calculator calculates, based on a target curvature, a target steering angle representing a steering angle of the vehicle at a target position. A current steering-angle obtainer obtains a current steering angle representing a steering angle of the vehicle at a current position. A steering controller controls the steering of the vehicle to cause the current steering angle to follow the target steering angle. A distance estimator estimates, based on at least one of the environmental information around the vehicle and control information about the vehicle, a visible distance representing a distance visibly recognizable by the driver of the vehicle to a front of the vehicle. The target curvature obtainer uses the visible distance as the target distance to obtain the target curvature at the predetermined target position that has the visible distance away from the current position along the road in the travelling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisaya Akatsuka, Hiroshi Inou
  • Patent number: 10053146
    Abstract: A steerable, self-propelled vehicle includes a rotatable steering column that is connected to control the steering angle of one or more ground-engaging members of the vehicle. The vehicle includes between the steering column and the ground-engaging member a first steering servomechanism having at least a first steering assistance characteristic; a second steering servomechanism having a second steering assistance characteristic also being connected to act on the steering column. A controller is provided for causing the first and second steering assistance characteristics to influence the steering of the vehicle in dependence on one or more one or more control commands generated in the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Morselli, Francesco Canuto, Patrizio Turco, Enrico Raffone
  • Patent number: 10053147
    Abstract: A steered-angle command value calculation circuit calculates a steered-angle command value by adding a steering torque to a first assist component that is a sum of a basic assist control amount, a hysteresis control amount and a damping control amount. A steered-angle feedback control circuit calculates a second assist component by angle feedback control based on the steered-angle command value. A compensation control circuit generates the hysteresis control amount and the damping control amount based on a determination flag generated by a hand release determination circuit and indicating whether or not the steering state corresponds to a hand release state. The hand release determination circuit determines whether or not the steering state corresponds to the hand release state based on signs of a steering angle calculated by a steering-angle calculation circuit, a steering angular velocity that is a differential value of the steering angle, and a steering angle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeto Matsuo, Terutaka Tamaizumi
  • Patent number: 10053148
    Abstract: A toe optimization system for a vehicle with first and second rear wheels defining a rear toe angle. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors and first and second actuators operatively connected to the first and second rear wheels, respectively, for varying the rear toe angle. A controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for controlling the rear toe angle. Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to select one of a plurality of vehicle states. Each of the plurality of vehicle states has a respective toe setting. The controller is configured to actuate the first and second actuators to vary the rear toe angle to the respective toe setting. By actively controlling the rear toe angle, the agility and stability of the vehicle can be optimized according to the specific vehicle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Auden
  • Patent number: 10053149
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering system. The steering system pivots a wheel of a vehicle to a first road wheel angle relative to a starting position. The steering system pivots the vehicle wheel to a second road wheel angle calculated to reduce a tire windup upon determining that the vehicle is stationary. The steering system pivots the vehicle wheel to a final road wheel angle upon determining that a vehicle motion is either incipient or initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jens Christiansen
  • Patent number: 10053150
    Abstract: A deck plate assembly is provided for mounting between the first and second frame members of a truck. The assembly includes a horizontally disposed deck plate which is positioned between the first and second frame members of the truck and secured thereto. Stiffening or strengthening members are secured to the underside of the deck plate to prevent downward deflection of the deck plate should a person stand on the deck plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Adam J. Wurzer, Terry D. Wurzer, David T. Wurzer
  • Patent number: 10053151
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure of a vehicle frame member includes: ribs that integrally connect standing wall portions, that are formed at a planar portion of a vehicle frame member, to one another, and that reinforce the planar portion; portions of gradually changing thickness that are formed at connected portions of the ribs with the standing wall portions; portions of gradually changing height that are formed at the connected portions of the ribs with the standing wall portions; first curved portions that are formed at the portions of gradually changing thickness; second curved portions that are formed at the portions of gradually changing thickness; third curved portions that are formed at the portions of gradually changing height; and fourth curved portions that are formed at the portions of gradually changing height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Soshiro Murata, Takashi Sasaki, Hideaki Kanasugi, Kazuki Shimizu, Minako Izumi
  • Patent number: 10053152
    Abstract: A sill for a body structure of a vehicle, in an installed state, extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Outer, middle and inner sill parts are each of shell-like or hat-like cross section and have respective sill strengths. The outer sill part and the inner sill part are connected to one another at respective upper and lower ends thereof via flanges. A middle sill part is positioned between the outer sill part and the inner sill part. The middle sill part is connected at least to the inner sill part. At least in a region of a front section as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the outer sill part has a strength which is lower than a mean strength of the sill, which is dependent on the outer sill strength, the inner sill strength and the middle sill strength and masses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Philipp Kellner, Tassilo Gilbert, Tobias Bongards
  • Patent number: 10053153
    Abstract: The four wheel vehicle uses an electric motor (142) for driving the vehicle and a battery unit (160) for supplying electric power to the electric motor. The lower chassis (5) of the vehicle includes a pair of front side frames (10) extending linearly in a fore and aft direction with an upward slant and a progressively increasing lateral mutual spacing from a front part thereof to a rear part thereof and a plurality of cross members (14, 16, 18) connecting the front side frames to each other. The battery unit is positioned between the two front side frames such that the battery unit overlaps with the front side frames in side view. Thereby, the battery unit can be effectively protected from side impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kobayashi, Kuniaki Ikui, Takahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 10053154
    Abstract: A vehicle side structure includes: a rocker disposed along a vehicle front-rear direction at a lower section of a vehicle side; and a pillar disposed along a vehicle up-down direction at the vehicle side whereby a lower end section of the pillar is joined to the rocker, the pillar including: a pillar inner panel disposed at a vehicle interior inner side, and a pillar outer panel disposed at a vehicle interior outer side of the pillar inner panel, and the pillar having an opening, formed at a lower section of the pillar inner panel, the pillar inner panel having formed therein a reinforcing section including an extended-out section that extends out toward an outer side in a vehicle width direction from an entire periphery of a peripheral edge of the opening, and a lower section of the reinforcing section being joined to an upper section of the rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Kamimura, Takuya Miura
  • Patent number: 10053155
    Abstract: A vehicle body of shell construction has a rear frame extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rear frame has a support rear panel configured as an inner shell and a rear panel configured as an outer shell. The support rear panel is composed of a center part and at least two side parts. The center part is configured as a lock counterpart for a lock of a rear flap. In the region of the lock counterpart, the rear frame is solely comprised of the center part as the inner shell and the support rear panel as the outer shell, without sheet metal doubling or reinforcement structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Stein
  • Patent number: 10053156
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure has: a suspension member provided at a vehicle lower side of side members and supported by the side members, the suspension member having a main body portion that extends in a vehicle transverse direction, and a pair of left and right arm portions, each of which extends toward a vehicle front side from a vehicle transverse direction end portion of the main body portion; a front cross member connecting a distal end portion of one of the arm portions and a distal end portion of another of the arm portions in the vehicle transverse direction; and a pair of left and right braces extending obliquely toward vehicle transverse direction outer sides while heading toward a vehicle rear side, front end portions of the braces being joined to the front cross member, and rear end portions of the braces being joined to the arm portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Daigaku
  • Patent number: 10053157
    Abstract: A cargo containment body with movable wall panels that always remain substantially parallel to a vertical side of the cargo containment body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BROWN INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dane Jennison, Bryce White
  • Patent number: 10053158
    Abstract: A universal mount for installing a canopy onto tractor and mower ROPS (roll bars). The ROPS may have left and right downward extensions and a bridging element between the left and right downward extensions. The universal mount includes a clamp to secure the universal mount onto a ROPS, a crossbar attached to the clamp extending parallel to the bridging element, and plates on each opposed end of the crossbar. Each plate has at least one slot adapted to receive a fastener. The universal mount can be clamped to a ROPS with the canopy fastened by aligning holes on the canopy with the slots and passing fasteners through. The canopy attitude can be adjusted to a desired orientation by positioning fasteners at a selected position in the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Accu-Form Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Renfro, John R. Renfro
  • Patent number: 10053159
    Abstract: A cabin support deck for supporting a cabin of a construction machine on the underside of the cabin includes a frame member and a mounting portion. The frame member includes a proximal segment at which the frame member is supported, a distal segment, a left side segment, and a right side segment. The distal segment has a first structure having a first lateral dimension. The proximal segment has a second structure having a second lateral dimension which is greater than the first lateral dimension. At least one of the proximal side sections of the left side segment and the right side segment has the second structure, and the other portions of the left side segment and the right side segment have the first structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Sakai, Tomonori Nakashita, Kiyotsuna Kuchiki
  • Patent number: 10053160
    Abstract: A foldable, aerodynamic cover assembly for pickup truck beds which is user switchable between a closed aerodynamic configuration and a folded open configuration which allows the user access to the pickup truck bed. The aerodynamic configuration reduces vehicle wind resistance and drag, which increases fuel efficiency. The foldable, aerodynamic cover is comprised of a rigid folding frame with an outer cover. The outer cover is disposed over the frame and detachably connected to the base portion of said frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Lars Erlandson
  • Patent number: 10053161
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided in which separation of positively charged airflow from a positively charged surface of a vehicle body can be prevented. A vehicle body is insulated from a road surface, and positive static charges accumulate on the vehicle body during propulsion. The vehicle comprises an ionizing material that is charged negatively during propulsion to decrease the positive potential of a separation point at which positively charged airflow flowing along a vehicle surface deviates therefrom during propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Tanahashi, Yoji Kanehara, Koshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10053162
    Abstract: A vehicle substructure includes at least one wing device for producing at least one underflow and at least one overflow from inflowing air to improve a downforce, the at least one wing device having at least one air-guiding apparatus for dividing the inflowing air into at least one wing air flow for the underflow of the wing device and into at least one structure air flow for at least one vehicle component. The air-guiding apparatus includes at least one adaptable air-guiding element. A dividing ratio of the at least one wing air flow and the at least one structure air flow can be flexibly set by at least one adaptation of the air guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sebastian Weber, Tobias Posch, Nadine Abel
  • Patent number: 10053163
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first end configured to face oncoming airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface and an opposing second. An underbody extends between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and defines a space between the vehicle body and the road surface and includes a first lateral edge, an opposing second lateral edge and a central region defined therebetween. One or more wheel wells are formed in the underbody proximate the front end of the vehicle body. At least one aerodynamic member is disposed adjacent the one or more openings in the underbody. The at least one aerodynamic member includes a leading portion positioned proximate the one or more openings, a trailing portion positioned proximate the central region of the underbody and at least one aerodynamic surface extending therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Del Gaizo, William Fang
  • Patent number: 10053164
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a wall having a cylindrical shape and surrounding a passenger compartment. The vehicle includes a table in the passenger compartment, a circular track fixed in the compartment and extending around the table, and a plurality of seats mounted to and independently slidable along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 10053165
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated maintenance of the top and bottom surfaces or skins of an integrally stiffened hollow structure (e.g., a horizontal stabilizer) using surface crawling vehicles. Each system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to couple an external drive tractor to a pair of passive trailers disposed in the interior of the hollow structure on opposite sides of a vertical structural element. The external drive tractor is also coupled to an external maintenance tool, which the tractor pushes or pulls across the surface skin to perform a maintenance function. The systems allow maintenance operations to be performed on both surface skins without turning the hollow structure over. Each system is modular and can be transported to and easily set up in a building or factory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Troy, William P. Motzer, Scott W. Lea, James C. Kennedy, Michael C. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 10053166
    Abstract: A traveling vehicle includes: a vehicle body frame, a pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices, a pair of right and left rear crawler traveling devices, a front suspension device that suspends the pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices on the vehicle body frame, and a rear suspension device that suspends the pair of right and left rear crawler traveling devices on the vehicle body frame. The front suspension device integrally suspends the pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices on the vehicle body frame and allows the pair of right and left front crawler traveling devices to be swingable in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuma Moriguchi, Hidekazu Niu, Hideaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 10053167
    Abstract: A paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete having a main frame, center module, bolsters laterally movably, and a crawler track associated with respective aft and forward ends of the bolsters. A bolster swing leg for each crawler track supports an upright jacking column. A worm gear drive permits rotational movements of the crawler track and the jacking column. A hinge bracket is interposed between each swing leg and a surface of the bolsters to enable pivotal movements of the swing leg. A length-adjustable holder engages the pivot pin on the hinge bracket and pivotally engages the swing leg. The holder permits pivotal motions of the swing leg in its length-adjustable configuration and prevents substantially any motion of the swing leg in its fixed-length configuration. A feedback loop cooperates with transducers keeping the crawler tracks position. The paving machine can be reconfigured into a narrowed transport configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GUNTERT & ZIMMERMAN CONST. DIV., INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Guntert, Jr., Gerald L. Dahlinger, Richard Wood Francis, Randall K. Smith
  • Patent number: 10053168
    Abstract: A method of hardening an article of manufacture that includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis made of a material that is capable of being hardened and that is intended for a particular use includes locally heating the material at a first location found on the article along the axis to a first predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis and locally heating the material at a second location found on the article along the axis to a second predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis, wherein the first predetermined depth is different than the second predetermined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric James Johannsen, Mircea Dumitru, Chee Keong Ng
  • Patent number: 10053169
    Abstract: A main cord layer is embedded in a crawler main body, and a first bias cord layer, a second bias cord layer, a third bias cord layer and a fourth bias cord layer are embedded at an outer peripheral side of the main cord layer. Bias cords of the second bias cord layer and bias cords of the third bias cord layer are inclined in a direction that is opposite, with respect to a crawler circumferential direction, bias cords of the fourth bias cord layer that are inclined with respect to the crawler circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 10053170
    Abstract: A trailer system includes a chassis defining an axis and having a first section and a second section removably attached to the first section. A wheel assembly is attached to the first section that includes a single wheel and a lift mechanism arranged to raise and lower the chassis relative to the single wheel. A twist compensation mechanism is attached to the chassis and arranged to rotate at least one of the first section and second section about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Bary Sanford Boggess
  • Patent number: 10053171
    Abstract: A bicycle lock includes a U-shaped body and a pivotal portion pivotably connected to the first end of the U-shaped body. A head is formed on the second end of the U-shaped body and includes a lock unit received therein. The lock unit includes a nut and a core unit which is co-rotated with the nut. The nut is rotated by using a key. The core unit includes a core and a restriction plate which is co-rotated with the core and includes a notch. A safety unit is received in the lock unit and includes an engaging member and a resilient member which biases the engaging member to be engaged with a notch of the restriction plate to prevent the core unit from being rotated. The engaging member includes a protrusion which contacts the outer periphery of the nut to prevent the nut from being rotated by unauthorized tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Pinhead Components Inc.
    Inventor: Linda Young
  • Patent number: 10053172
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. Further, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. The expansion portion is configured to engage the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position. In addition, the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Patent number: 10053173
    Abstract: A height adjusting device for a bicycle includes a mounting tube, a seat post, and a ratchet member. The mounting tube is configured to be inserted into a seat tube of the bicycle, and defines therein an inner tube space. The seat post is telescopically received in the inner tubular space through an upper open end of the mounting tube, and has a rack region with a plurality of rack teeth. The ratchet member has a ratchet end which is rotatable about a ratchet axis among a forward position, a normal position, and a rearward position, and which is coupled to a selected one of rack teeth so as to permit said selected one of the rack teeth to be kept engaged relative to the ratchet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Back Forty Development, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Byers Metz