Patents Issued in October 18, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180297616
    Abstract: A main tank storing pressurized air supplied to a pair of air springs; an air supply passage through which the pressurized air flows between the main tank and each of the pair of air springs; a plurality of compressors configured to supply the pressurized air to the main tank; an air discharge passage which is connected to the pair of air springs and through which discharged pressurized air discharged from the air springs flows; and an exhaust tank connected to the air discharge passage and storing the discharged pressurized air discharged from the air springs, the plurality of compressors including at least one first compressor configured to pressurize air introduced from an atmosphere and at least one second compressor configured to operate auxiliarily for an operation of the first compressor and pressurize the discharged pressurized air introduced from the exhaust tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadashi YAMADA, Yuta YOSHIMATSU
  • Publication number: 20180297617
    Abstract: A drive of a rail vehicle includes two drive wheels and a wheel set shaft which connects the drive wheels for rotation about an axis. A dynamoelectric machine includes a shaft extending axially parallel to the wheel set shaft and mounted for rotation about a further axis. A transmission connects the shaft of the dynamoelectric machine and the wheel set shaft by a non-positive fit. Placed between the dynamoelectric machine and the transmission is a coupling which is configured for direct attachment of a brake disk of a braking apparatus which is arranged between the transmission and the dynamoelectric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred HANNES, Bernd PFANNSCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20180297618
    Abstract: A railroad tank car may have external fittings, such as brake fittings. A low mount brake fitting is located in a recess formed in the end sill of the car or in the side sill of the car between the main bolster and the end sill. Where an end sill installation is used, the end sill may be asymmetric, with the recess being formed to one side of the center sill. Alternatively, the end sill may be offset longitudinally away from the striker, and a spacer inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Max Vanderby, Kenneth Wayne Black
  • Publication number: 20180297619
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include monitoring systems and methods that monitor speeds of a motor of a vehicle represented as a pulse signal indicative of a rotational position of the motor. The systems and methods include receive a pulse signal from a speed sensor coupled to a traction motor. The pulse signal is indicative of a rotational position of the traction motor. The systems and methods include analyze the pulse signal to identify per-revolution signal reoccurrences that meet designated criteria, and determine a defect based on the per-revolution signal reoccurrences that are identified. The defect is one or more of a wheel defect, a bearing defect, or a gear defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajith Kumar
  • Publication number: 20180297620
    Abstract: An article transport facility includes one or more rails which include one or more portions in which a travel path is curved, and an article transport vehicle configured to travel along the one or more rails to transport an article. The article transport vehicle includes a guided portion configured to be in contact with the one or more rails to be guided thereby, an obstacle detection sensor configured to detect an obstacle in a detection area which is set to be located ahead of the article transport vehicle, and a setting portion configured to changeably set the detection area. The setting portion is configured to change the detection area depending on an in-contact-rail shape which is a shape of one or more portions of the one or more rails that the guided portion is in contact with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Ryuya Murakami
  • Publication number: 20180297621
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to vegetation detection and, in particular, to a vegetation detection and alert system for a railway vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kris C. Matson, Pascal Day, Lloyd Hinnant, Alvaro Ortiz Fernandez, Eduardo Back
  • Publication number: 20180297622
    Abstract: A folding cart is disclosed, comprising: a frame comprising a front frame and a rear frame which are disposed face to face; a floor assembly, comprising a front frame member and a rear frame member which are hinged to each other and hinged between the front frame and the rear frame; a wheel retracting assembly comprising a rear wheel half-shaft rotary rod, a rear wheel half shaft, a rotary pulling rod, an automatic foot assembly and a rotary connecting bar; an end of the rear wheel half-shaft rotary rod is pivotally connected to the rear frame member, the rear wheel half shaft is disposed at the other end of the rear wheel half-shaft rotary rod for connecting a rear wheel; an end of the rotary pulling rod is pivotally connected to the rear frame member, and the other end is pivotally connected to the rear wheel half-shaft rotary rod to drive the rear wheel half-shaft rotary rod to retract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Zhaosheng CHEN, Yishun CHEN
  • Publication number: 20180297623
    Abstract: A mobile child support and entertainment device includes a base panel having roller elements for rolling support along a support surface, an upper support body having a seat positioned generally centrally therein for receiving a child, and at least one support leg extending between the base panel and the upper support body. The device allows a caregiver to move the child in the device from location to location, and provides entertainment and activity for the child. Embodiments of the device are configured for ease of maneuverability and access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. BURNS, Jacob SCLARE
  • Publication number: 20180297624
    Abstract: Drive-side engagement protrusions (66, 66) formed on the outer surface of a drive-side cam (29a) are press-fitted in engagement cutouts (75, 75) formed in a second joining section (70) of an adjustment lever (23a), and a fitting hole (74) formed in the second joining section (70) of the adjustment lever (23a) is fitted over and affixed, by interference fit, to the portion of a rod-like member (17a), which is located near one end thereof in the axial direction. As a result, the adjustment lever (23a), the drive-side cam (29a), and the rod-like member (17a) are joined so as to be rotatable together. The provided structure can prevent the adjustment lever from rocking and rattling even in an unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiye ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20180297625
    Abstract: A locking lever for a clamp mechanism of a steering column assembly comprises a first portion, a second portion that extends from the first portion, and a connecting portion or region located between the first portion to the second portion about which the second portion will preferentially breakaway from the first portion in the event of an impact by an occupant of the vehicle on the second part, the lever further comprising a flexible tether that prevents the second portion fully separating from the first portion after the lever has broken about the connection portion or region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Harry Kingston-Jones, Niclas Davies, Colin Handy, Piotr Wegrzyn
  • Publication number: 20180297626
    Abstract: A steering column may include an adjustment unit with a steering spindle mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis in a casing tube, a support unit in which the adjustment unit is mounted so as to be adjustable along the longitudinal axis, and a stop device with a movably mounted stop element positionable in a blocking position and a release position. In the blocking position the stop element limits the adjustment travel of the adjustment unit relative to the support unit. In the release position, the stop element allows adjustability in the direction of the longitudinal axis beyond the adjustment travel limited in the blocking position. The stop device has an actuation body that has an inert mass, is actively connected to the stop element, and is mounted movably relative to the support unit. In a crash event, the mass inertia of the actuation body causes it to interact with the stop element to move the stop element from the blocking position into the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicants: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Sebastian HUBER, Christoph MUNDING, Sebastian FORTE
  • Publication number: 20180297627
    Abstract: A steering gear for a vehicle includes a steering pinion and a master rack. A toothing of the master rack includes a constant helix angle and a toothing of the steering pinion includes a changing helix angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Andreas Eisenhuth
  • Publication number: 20180297628
    Abstract: A steering system includes a rack shaft, a tubular rack housing, and a tubular rack bushing. The rack bushing is interposed between the outer surface of the rack shaft and the inner surface of the rack housing. The rack bushing supports the rack shaft such that the rack shaft is slidable in the axial direction. The rack housing includes an annular groove on its inner surface. The rack bushing includes a collar. a through slit. and first non-through slits. The collar protrudes radially outward from substantially the entire circumference of the rack bushing. The collar is fitted into the annular groove. The through slit passes through the rack bushing in the axial direction. Each first non-through slit extends in the axial direction such that the first non-through slit passes through a portion of the rack bushing whose axial position corresponds to the axial position of the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki BANDO, Akihisa UMETANI
  • Publication number: 20180297629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steer-by-wire and independent-drive integrated wheel-side electric drive device, including a first double-rotor motor and a second double-rotor motor, fixedly arranged coaxially along an axial direction of a motor, an inner rotor of the first double-rotor motor is connected with a first drive shaft and is used for driving a wheel on one side to rotate; an inner rotor of the second double-rotor motor is connected with a second drive shaft and is used for driving a wheel on the other side to rotate; an outer rotor of the first double-rotor motor and an outer rotor of the second double-rotor motor are respectively connected with a driving gear by virtue of an output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: JUNNIAN WANG, DEDONG GUO, ZHENG LUO
  • Publication number: 20180297630
    Abstract: A system and a method for estimating a steering torque, may include receiving, in a controller, information including a value of a yaw rate and a value of a lateral acceleration of a vehicle collected in the vehicle in real time; determining and estimating, in the controller, a value of a rack force from the received information and a setting information using a predetermined model formula of estimating the rack force; and generating, in the controller, an estimated value of the steering torque according to an operation of a steering wheel of a driver from the estimated value of the rack force using a predetermined value of a gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chan Jung KIM
  • Publication number: 20180297631
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes an electric motor configured to selectively perform steering assistance based on a detection result of a torque sensor and automatic steering based on information outside a vehicle, a breakdown determination unit configured to determine the breakdown of the torque sensor, and an intervention determination unit configured to determine a steering intervention operation by the driver when the torque sensor breaks down during the automatic steering. The automatic steering is released when the intervention determination unit determines that the steering intervention operation has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Osamu MIYATANI, Hisazumi ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180297632
    Abstract: A steering system includes a user-manipulable steering control, a steering actuator, a pump, and a first valve assembly configured to control a flow of fluid from the pump to the steering actuator in response to manipulation of the steering control. The steering system also includes a rotary device coupled to the steering control. The rotary device is configured to direct fluid in response to manipulation of the steering control. The steering system further includes a second valve assembly movable between a first position in which the rotary device is not in fluid communication with the steering actuator and a second position in which the second valve assembly fluidly communicates the rotary device with the steering actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Clayton Emmert, Troy Schick
  • Publication number: 20180297633
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for controlling a vehicle. The methods and systems read sensors and estimate pneumatic trail for a tire of the vehicle based on the sensor readings. The methods and systems determine presence or absence of a tire lateral saturation condition based on a comparison of the estimated pneumatic trail for the tire of the vehicle with a pneumatic trail threshold indicative of a tire lateral saturation condition. When the tire lateral saturation condition is present, the methods and systems determine a control value and use the control value as an input to a vehicle control module. The vehicle control module is responsive to the tire lateral saturation condition based on the control value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: SEYEDALIREZA KASAIEZADEH MAHABADI, BAKHTIAR B. LITKOUHI, NIKOLAI K. MOSHCHUK, SHIH-KEN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20180297634
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a rear wheel steering (RWS) system, may include determining, by a controller, whether an abnormality occurs in a rear wheel alignment based on information collected from the vehicle; determining, by the controller, a correction amount of the rear wheel alignment for correcting the abnormality occurring in the rear wheel alignment using predetermined data based on one or more of the information collected from the vehicle when the abnormality is determined to occur in the rear wheel alignment; correcting, by the controller, a rear wheel control position determined based on variable information related to an RWS control using the determined correction amount of the rear wheel alignment; and controlling, by the controller, an RWS actuator of the vehicle based on the corrected rear wheel control position, and an apparatus for controlling an RWS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jong Min Kim, Dae Suk Jung
  • Publication number: 20180297635
    Abstract: A tie rod end includes a body portion having a curved portion and extending in a rod shape, an engaging portion with a tie rod provided at one end of the body portion, and a connecting portion with a knuckle arm provided at the other end of the body portion, and constitutes a part of a vehicle steering apparatus used for steering a vehicle. The body portion made of an aluminum warm-forged material is provided so that an outer curved portion is oriented toward a front of the vehicle when attached to the vehicle. Dimension in a vehicle height direction of the body portion is larger at an inner curved portion than at the outer curved portion. It is possible to obtain the tie rod end capable of securing sufficient rigidity against stress concentration inside the curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Takashi YASU
  • Publication number: 20180297636
    Abstract: A three-wheeled tilting vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can include an electronic control system that controls the tilting of the vehicle in higher speed turns for increased stability. The vehicle may also include a traction control system to provide additional stability during higher speed turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Helen Lee, Stephen R. Duffy, Timothy F. McLellan, Ian Armstrong Bruce
  • Publication number: 20180297637
    Abstract: A steering display device of a work vehicle visually displaying a steering state of control wheels of the work vehicle, includes a display and an image generation unit. The display displays a rectangular frame representing a vehicle width of the work vehicle and a pointer representing a state of a steering of the control wheels as graphic information, and the image generation unit rotates the pointer about a rotation axis of the pointer and widens or narrows the rectangular frame based on the steering of the control wheels. The image generation unit generates the pointer and the rectangular frame in a manner such that when a steering angle of the control wheels exceeds a predetermined value, part of the pointer protrudes from the rectangular frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ito, Ichiro Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20180297638
    Abstract: A driving support ECU initializes a target trajectory calculation parameter at a start of LCA; calculates, based on the target trajectory calculation parameter, a target trajectory function representing a target lateral position which is a target position of an own vehicle in a lane width direction in accordance with an elapsed time t from the start of LCA; successively calculates a target lateral movement state amount of the own vehicle based on the target trajectory function and the elapsed time t; calculates a target yaw state amount of the own vehicle based on the target lateral movement state amount and a vehicle speed; and calculates a target control amount based on the target yaw state amount and the target lateral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shota FUJII
  • Publication number: 20180297639
    Abstract: A driving support ECU initializes a target trajectory calculation parameter at a start of LCA; calculates, based on the target trajectory calculation parameter, a target trajectory function representing a target lateral position in accordance with an elapsed time from the start of LCA; and calculates a target control amount according to the target trajectory function. When it is determined that the own vehicle has crossed a boundary white line, the driving support ECU again initializes the target trajectory calculation parameter, and calculate the target trajectory function based on the target trajectory calculation parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shota FUJII
  • Publication number: 20180297640
    Abstract: A driving support ECU initializes a target trajectory calculation parameter at a start of LCA; calculates, based on the target trajectory calculation parameter, a target trajectory function representing a target lateral position which is a target position of an own vehicle in a lane width direction in accordance with an elapsed time from the start of LCA; calculates a target control amount based on the target trajectory function; when a steering operation by a driver has been detected, again initializes the target trajectory calculation parameter; and recalculates the target trajectory function based on the target trajectory calculation parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shota FUJII
  • Publication number: 20180297641
    Abstract: A multi-purpose vehicle includes a rollover protection structure frame (ROPS frame) associated with a seat. The ROPS frame includes right and left front struts, and right and left rear struts. A handrail frame is attached to a lateral outer side of the seat. A cover member is attached to the handrail frame and extends upwards from the handrail frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Koji Nada, Hiroki Bessho, Sechan Park, Masaru Nakaji
  • Publication number: 20180297642
    Abstract: A vehicle rear body structure includes a rear bulkhead that partitions a vehicle interior and a rear trunk and a damper base that is joined to the rear bulkhead through a wheel house. The damper base is joined to the wheel house, and thus a damper supporting portion is formed in a bag shape. The damper supporting portion is coupled to a rear frame through the rear bulkhead and is coupled to the rear frame through a house rear corner ridge. The house rear corner ridge and the rear bulkhead are formed in an inverted V-shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa KUDOH, Kohei NARITA
  • Publication number: 20180297643
    Abstract: A beam has a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface opposite the first exterior surface with an opening extending through the beam. A sleeve member extends through the opening from the first exterior surface to the second exterior surface. A first collar defines a first aperture with a first end of the sleeve member extending through the first aperture. The first collar contacts the first exterior surface. A second collar has a second attachment flange that overlays a portion of the second exterior surface of the beam. The second collar has a second aperture with the sleeve member extending therethrough. The first collar and the second collar are positioned and fixedly attached to the beam such that the sleeve member is spaced apart from interior surfaces of the beam that define the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Patrick GRATTAN
  • Publication number: 20180297644
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly method includes providing an aluminum roof component including a peripheral flange structure that defines a roof adhesive bonding zone; providing a steel vehicle body component including a body adhesive bonding zone; removably fastening the roof component to the vehicle body component with the peripheral flange structure spaced from the vehicle body component; electrocoating the roof component secured to the vehicle body component including the roof adhesive bonding zone and the body adhesive bonding zone; painting the roof component secured to the vehicle body component; removing the painted roof component from the painted vehicle body component; applying an adhesive that is curable at room temperature to at least one of the roof adhesive bonding zone and the body adhesive bonding zone; securely fastening the painted roof component to the painted vehicle body component with the adhesive spanning the adhesive bonding zones; and curing the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Adam J. Rompage, Edward W. Bach, Kevin D. Helton, Masahiro Ishikawa, Benjamin J. Meaige
  • Publication number: 20180297645
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an aerodynamic fairing system that may comprise a base configured to mount to a vehicle, an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally, and a fairing mounted to the arm having an inboard and an outboard surface. The fairing outboard surface may provide an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow to an angle to the rear. The arm may a fixed or adjustable length arm. The arm may provide a mounting area for a mud flap such that aerodynamic system may act as a mud flap hanger. Embodiments also provide an adjustable mud flap hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Redza Shah, Timothy Uys
  • Publication number: 20180297646
    Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deployable deflector panel, linkage assemblies, and an actuator. The system deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, interrupts air flow thereby improving the vehicle aerodynamics, reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. The deflector panel is retractable so the vehicle meets ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The linkage assemblies are coupled to the deflector panel and a drive shaft connected to the actuator. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system. The active front deflector assembly provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator, and communication with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Anthony J. Povinelli, Martin R. Matthews, Jeffrey B. Manhire
  • Publication number: 20180297647
    Abstract: An active air dam system includes an air dam comprising a static portion and a sliding portion driven by an actuator system. A controller system is provided, configured to cause the actuator system to translate the sliding portion vertically between a retracted position and a plurality of deployed positions according to one or more of a vehicle under-engine heat exchanger input and a vehicle drive train mode input. Methods for controlling the air dam system are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron Peter Klop, Kenneth Allan Anderson
  • Publication number: 20180297648
    Abstract: A front splitter assembly includes a front splitter having a first end and a second end, a first side splitter at the first end and a second side splitter at the second end. Each side splitter includes a contoured body. In one embodiment each side splitter includes an underwing extending between the extension section and the wicker section inboard of the end plate of the side splitter. A related method of improving stability and peak cornering speed of a motor vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Michael Stephen Sylvester, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Peter Thai
  • Publication number: 20180297649
    Abstract: A front splitter assembly includes a front splitter having a first end and a second end, a first side splitter at the first end and a second side splitter at the second end. Each side splitter includes a contoured body. Each side splitter includes a dive plane feature that increases generation of downforce at negligible drag cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Thai, Michael Stephen Sylvester, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Matthew Arthur Titus
  • Publication number: 20180297650
    Abstract: An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle includes a hood vent, having a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position, and a control module. That control module is configured to adjust the aero balance of the motor vehicle by opening and closing the closure. Further, the control module may be configured to close the closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC inlet of the motor vehicle when the current operating temperature of the motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature requiring engine cooling, and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed where airflow over the hood limits ingestion of engine compartment air by the HVAC inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Michael Stephen Sylvester
  • Publication number: 20180297651
    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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: GUNTERT & ZIMMERMAN CONST. DIV., INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Guntert, Jr., Gerald L. Dahlinger, Richard Wood Francis
  • Publication number: 20180297652
    Abstract: Apparatus arranged for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle by attachment of a continuous track unit, the vehicle comprising a drive hub of the type which is arranged to have an attachable wheel, the continuous track unit replacing the wheel to engage ground in use for movement of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising a mounting portion releasably attachable to the vehicle's chassis, the mounting portion arranged to substantially surround the drive hub, a support arm for supporting the continuous track unit, and a drive sprocket releasably attachable to the drive hub for transferring torque from the drive hub to the continuous track unit so as to rotate the track in use with the wheel removed and the apparatus attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Moorend Ltd
    Inventor: Andrew Cox
  • Publication number: 20180297653
    Abstract: A track link comprises a body defining a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface, a proximate end and a distal end, a first bore adjacent the distal end defining a first longitudinal axis and a second bore adjacent the proximate end defining a second longitudinal axis; wherein either the first bore or the second bore is a blind bore, forming a counterbore configured to house a seal assembly and the counterbore defines a wall that forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the bore that is greater than zero degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Sebright, Eric James Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20180297654
    Abstract: Vehicles are disclosed that are configured to carry loads in a stabilized manner, such that the load is maintained in a substantially constant position or orientation relative to a predetermined reference point or frame even as the vehicle moves. A stabilization controller in such a vehicle receives information about movement of the vehicle relative to the reference point or plane from one or more sensors on the vehicle, and uses the information to control one or more movable objects by which the load is secured to the vehicle so as to maintain a relatively constant relationship between the load and the reference point or plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Benjamin Meager
  • Publication number: 20180297655
    Abstract: A method for the transport of elongated workpieces and workers, in a production line which has a rectilinear production section. A plurality of conveyor trolleys, which respectively have an assembly platform that extends over the whole of the conveyor trolley length and is accessible for workers, move in the rectilinear production section jointly along a direction of conveyance and form a convoy in which the assembly platforms of adjacent conveyor trolleys adjoin one another in an at least substantially gap-free manner. The workpieces are arranged in such a way on the assembly platforms that a longitudinal direction of the workpieces is arranged at an angle between 25° and 65°, and preferably of about 45°, to the direction of conveyance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Gernot Herwig
  • Publication number: 20180297656
    Abstract: An electric bicycle has an electric motor and an electric energy store for supplying energy to the electric motor. Accordingly, the bicycle has a first controller coupled to the electric motor and is configured to store a first keycode. The bicycle has a second controller coupled to the energy store and is configured to store a second keycode. The controllers are connected or can be connected to a data transmission system, which is a bus. The first and second controllers are configured such that at least one specified controller of the controllers receives the keycode of the other controller. The specified controller is configured to determine whether its keycode matches the received keycode of the other controller using specified criteria. An immobilizer for an electric bicycle can be formed from these components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: WOLFGANG MAI, WOLFGANG LUDWIG, RAINER HILD
  • Publication number: 20180297657
    Abstract: The seat post for bicycles and other vehicles in general includes at least one support element associated with a frame of a bicycle, which can be placed along a substantially vertical direction of installation and able to support a saddle for bicycles having at least one fastening element, at least one positioning assembly placed at the top extremity of the support element and having at least a locking device able to retain the fastening element, and the locking device having at least one damping layer able to dampen vibrations transmitted from the ground and other unevenness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Antonello Briosi
  • Publication number: 20180297658
    Abstract: This clamping device includes a clamping collar intended to surround an element to be clamped and open so as to have two ends able to come closer to one another in order to grip the element to be clamped. This device also includes a lever, mounted tilting on the ends of the collar around a tilting axis perpendicular to a central axis of the collar, and connected to the collar by a cam system able to be actuated by tilting the lever. The cam system includes at least one pair associating a cam surface and a counter-cam surface, which are each globally helical and which are respectively connected in rotation to the collar and the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Denis Mercat
  • Publication number: 20180297659
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion material and a cover for covering the cushion material. The cover includes a load receiving portion configured to receive a load of a seated occupant. The load receiving portion includes a large thickness portion and a small thickness portion that are located next to each other in a first direction that intersects with a thickness direction of the cover. Each of the large and small thickness portions includes an elastic layer compressive in the thickness direction and a lower cover layer located closer to the cushion material than the elastic layer in the thickness direction. The elastic layer of the small thickness portion is compressed such that the thickness of the small thickness portion is smaller than the thickness of the large thickness portion. The lower cover layer of the large thickness portion is partially cut off to form a cutoff portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Hideki Tokumoto, Sam Schacht, Elizabeth Chambers, Justin Schrand, Katsuhiro Kiya, Anthony Senger, Kenneth Luckjohn, Ben McGinley
  • Publication number: 20180297660
    Abstract: The present application relates to a self-balancing scooter and a main frame assembly thereof. The self-balancing scooter includes a first main frame and, a cooperated second main frame. The first main frame includes a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion includes a first end surface, the first end surface defines a guide hole, and the guide hole is positioned between the center and the edge of the first end surface. The second main frame includes a second, connecting portion, the second connecting portion includes a second end surface corresponding to the first end surface of the first connecting portion, the second end surface defines a conduit, the conduit is positioned between the center and the edge of the second end surface, the conduit is accommodated in the guide hole when the first connecting portion is assembled and connected to the second connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Xia Wen
  • Publication number: 20180297661
    Abstract: A bicycle may include a front triangle and a rear suspension system that couples the front triangle to a rear wheel and is dampened by at least one shock absorber. The rear suspension system includes a six-bar linkage having two ternary links separated from each other by one or more binary links, such that the two ternary links do not share a common joint. One of the ternary links may comprise a chain stay. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise the front triangle. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise a rocker arm coupling a seat stay link to the shock absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Level One Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Luther Mac BEALE
  • Publication number: 20180297662
    Abstract: A mechanical brake caliper for a bicycle is provided, including: a caliper body, having two mounting holes which are disposed on two opposite sides of the caliper body; two axially-movable mechanisms, movably assembled to the two mounting holes respectively; and a linkage mechanism, having two arm portions which are connected with the two axially-movable mechanisms respectively, and a mounting structure being for securing a brake cable, the linkage mechanism rotating the two axially-movable mechanisms to move axially to actuate two brake pads toward a disc respectively, the two arm portions rotating about a first rotation center portion and a second rotation center portion respectively, torques to the first rotation center portion and the second rotation center portion as a force acting on the mounting structure by the brake cable being substantially the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung WEN
  • Publication number: 20180297663
    Abstract: A bicycle cable includes an inner line and an outer sheath. The inner line connects a driving mechanism and a driven device of a vehicle therebetween. The driven device includes a brake device or a derailleur. The inner line has an outer diameter ranged between 1.2 mm to 1.4 mm. The outer sheath has an outer diameter ranged between 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm and an inner diameter ranged between 1.8 mm to 2.2 mm. The outer sheath is sleeved onto the inner line. A gap is formed between an inner face of the outer sheath and the inner line. The gap has a maximum ranged between 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. A system of bicycle cable includes two said bicycle cables. One of the inner lines connects a brake driving mechanism and a brake device therebetween. The other one of the inner lines connects a derailleur driving mechanism and a derailleur therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung WEN
  • Publication number: 20180297664
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided that includes a sprocket support member, a first sprocket, a second sprocket that is a separate member from the first sprocket, and a third sprocket that is a separate member from the first and second sprockets. The sprocket support member is configured to support at least one of the first, second and third sprockets. The sprocket support member includes a plurality of sprocket support portions extending radially outwardly from a central cylindrical portion. A first reinforcement member is attached to at least one of the first and second sprockets, and extends between the first and second sprockets. A second reinforcement member is attached to at least one of the second and third sprockets, and extends between the second and third sprockets. Each of the first and second reinforcement members is disposed between an adjacent pair of the plurality of sprocket support portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi FUKUMORI, Hiroshi FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20180297665
    Abstract: A continuous derailleur of a bicycle contains: a drive shaft, a rotary shaft, a brake shaft, and a braking device. The rotary shaft is mounted on the drive shaft. The drive shaft includes a bevel gear member having a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear. The drive shaft includes a first pedal shaft, and the brake shaft includes a first interactive bevel gear and includes the braking device. The rotary shaft includes a second interactive bevel gear and a third interactive bevel gear, and the second interactive bevel gear and the third interactive bevel gear mesh with the second bevel gear of the bevel gear member. The continuous derailleur further contains an output bevel gear, and the output bevel gear is rotatably fitted on the drive shaft, hence the second interactive bevel gear and the third interactive bevel gear mesh with the output bevel gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Kuen-Chang LO