Patents Issued in December 11, 2018
  • Patent number: 10150492
    Abstract: A trolley configured for use to carry both round and rectangular folding tables of a variety of sizes. The trolley includes a frame having a floor located adjacent a loading end of the frame. The floor includes a planar central portion bounded on each side by angled ramp portions which terminate at elevated flat portions, one of the elevated flat portions being located adjacent the loading end of the frame; and a plurality of receivers located on the frame. The trolley also includes a handle rack locatable at an end of the frame opposite the loading end of the frame. The handle rack includes a pair of rack legs, each rack leg having a handle rack mount located at a lower end of the rack leg and configured to be received by one of the receivers of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Zhuhai Shichang Metals Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Che-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 10150493
    Abstract: A mobility platform is disclosed for a shopping cart. The mobility platform comprises a platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a primary side and a secondary side. A connector is secured to the platform. The lower surface of the platform abuts the cart handle and the connector engages the cart handle for defining a platform lock and terminating displacement of the platform relative to the shopping cart. A deformable layer is coupled to the upper surface of the platform for cushioning contact between the platform and the individual. The deformable layer engages the individual for defining a cart crutch. The cart crutch assists the individual by transferring weight of the individual to the cart and improving the balance of the individual while in contact with the deformable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Richard E. Harsley
  • Patent number: 10150494
    Abstract: A device and method is provided that includes a plurality of dollies. Each dolly includes a base portion and a plurality of wheels attached to the base portion. Each dolly further includes side walls extending from the base, and defining a channel, an adjustment mechanism and an engagement member disposed along an inside of one of the sidewalls and configured to deform when a pressure is applied to secure an object within the channel. A block portion is provided within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: James W. Young, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10150495
    Abstract: A wheel locking mechanism, suitable for locking a wheel of a pushchair, the mechanism comprising: a rotatable member, adapted to be mounted on the hub of a wheel, whereby the rotatable member is co-rotatable with, and by rotation of, the wheel, the rotatable member comprising a locking surface, and a non-rotatable member, comprising a locking pin adapted to selectively cooperate with the locking surface of the rotatable member, whereby the relative positions of the rotatable and non-rotatable members are lockable. Also disclosed is a pushchair comprising a chassis having a rear axle, at each end of which a wheel is mountable, wherein each end of the rear axle is provided with such a wheel locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Silver Cross (IP) Limited
    Inventors: Philip Taylor, Christopher Bird
  • Patent number: 10150496
    Abstract: A folding perambulator has a wheeled foldable frame 1 with front frame members 10 which may be folded toward rear frame members 5 when a seating member 2 is removed from the frame 1. A handle 7 is also arranged to be foldable downwardly toward the rear wheels 3. A locking mechanism 6 is provided to permit the frame and handle to be folded. The handle includes a rotatable member 25 which, in one direction of rotation, is arranged to adjust the length of the handle by permitting telescoping of tubular members 26, 27, and in an opposite direction of rotation to cause the locking mechanism, which includes a dog clutch 80, to be disengaged to permit the frame and handle to be folded to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: STROLLER TECH LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael John Oakes
  • Patent number: 10150497
    Abstract: A steering wheel providing minimal cost increase due to addition of a temperature adjustment function. The steering wheel, includes: a boss portion to be connected to a steering column; a grip portion to be gripped by a driver; and a spoke portion, which connects the boss portion and the grip portion to each other. The grip portion includes: a synthetic resin layer molded by a synthetic resin; a cored bar; a flexible porous material layer disposed on an outer peripheral surface side of the cored bar; and a heater element disposed on an outer surface of the porous material layer. The porous material layer and the heater element are covered by the synthetic resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Yousuke Kato, Jinkeun Kim
  • Patent number: 10150498
    Abstract: A ratio of the distance by which a rack shaft moves in a first direction relative to the angle by which a pinion shaft rotates in a circumferential direction is defined as a stroke ratio. The stroke ratio is larger when the pinion meshes with one of a third rack and a fifth rack than when the pinion meshes with a first rack. The stroke ratio changes while the pinion moves on one of a second rack and a fourth rack. A clearance defined between a rack guide and a guide plug is smaller when the pinion meshes with one of the third rack and the fifth rack than when the pinion meshes with the first rack. The clearance defined between the rack guide and the guide plug changes while the pinion moves on one of the second rack and the fourth rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kuniaki Mitsui
  • Patent number: 10150499
    Abstract: A driving unit includes a stator, a rotor, a shaft, a housing, a protrusion, a small pulley, and a sealing member. The rotor is rotatably disposed relative to the stator. The shaft rotates together with the rotor. The housing houses the stator and the rotor. The protrusion protrudes from an outer surface of the housing toward an outside of the housing. The outer surface is positioned at one side of the housing in an axial direction of the rotor. The small pulley is disposed at an end of the shaft protruding toward the outside of the housing through a hole formed in the protrusion. The small pulley is cylindrical shaped. The sealing member seals a space between an inner surface of the hole of the protrusion and an outer surface of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Tomizawa, Koji Isogai
  • Patent number: 10150500
    Abstract: A vibration absorber comprising a supporting device, an oscillating mass, at least one coil device, and at least on permanent magnet device. The coil device includes at least one winding. A permanent magnet of the permanent magnet device generates a magnetic field extending through a yoke device of the permanent magnet device and through a part of the windings such that when current flows through the windings in a suitable manner, two forces are generated that act between the supporting device and the permanent magnet device and include an angle unequal to 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: VIBRACOUSTIC GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Eckel, Niklas Mueller
  • Patent number: 10150501
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use in a zero turn vehicle, including an electric controller in communication with a pair of independent drive units. A joystick provides user inputs to the controller to control the rotational speed and direction of the drive units. The joystick includes a vertical stalk pivotable between a plurality of pivot positions, where each of the plurality of pivot positions corresponds to a particular rotational speed and direction of each of the driven wheels. A selector switch may be used to select one of a plurality of driving modes stored in the electric controller, wherein each of the plurality of driving modes maps a different set of speeds and directions for each of the driven wheels onto the plurality of pivot positions. The joystick may also rotate about a vertical axis to provide zero turn capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Alyn Brown, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 10150502
    Abstract: A linkage adjustment system adapted to adjust a linkage, and a vehicle incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the linkage adjustment system adjusts a linkage operatively connecting an input (e.g., operator control lever of a lawn mower) to an output (e.g., drive system of a first drive wheel associated with a first (e.g., left) side of the mower). An adjustment device may adjust the linkage so that the first drive wheel rotates at the same speed as a second drive wheel (e.g., on the right side of the mower) when the control levers associated with both drive wheels are in a maximum forward position. A range setting arm of the system may adjust the total output of the first drive wheel (total forward and reverse output) to match the total output of the second drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Kallevig, Merle W. Gaedy, Phat T. Nghiem, Ryan J. Volovsek, Timothy J. Clift
  • Patent number: 10150503
    Abstract: A hybrid zero turn vehicle is disclosed, having an internal combustion engine supported on a frame and an operator platform located adjacent to the rear of the frame. An upright riser is disposed on the frame. The vehicle uses an electrical generating device driven by the engine and first electric drive motors or transmissions to drive the output wheels. An electrical bus or controllers may be mounted on a panel of the upright riser and offset vertically above the engine to assist in providing a compact design. A pair of drive levers is mounted on the upright riser for controlling the output of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brian D. Laymon, K. Mike McCoy
  • Patent number: 10150504
    Abstract: A resilient power device is adapted to drive a transmission rod of a vehicle, and includes a housing, a rotary shaft adapted to extend and be spaced apart from the transmission rod along a first axis, a power release unit including a first rod and a second rod that extend and are spaced apart from each other along a second axis parallel to the first axis, a power storage clutch adapted to be connected between the transmission rod and the rotary shaft, a power release clutch connected between the first and second rods, a first gear unit mounted to the first rod and the transmission rod, a second gear unit mounted to the rotary shaft and said second rod, and at least one resilient member connected between the housing and the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yi-Hsuan Hung, Hsueh-Chung Han, Ji-Jia Xu, Kai-Chieh Kang
  • Patent number: 10150505
    Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle comprises a camera mounted to view a reverse path of a vehicle, an input device connected for the hitch assist system, and a controller. The controller includes instructions for detecting a trailer proximate to a vehicle with the camera, determining a vehicle hitch ball location, determining a trailer hitch location, and calculating a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position. The vehicle hitch ball is laterally aligned with the trailer hitch in the final position. The controller also includes instructions for calculating the steering and braking maneuvers necessary to move the vehicle along the path to the final position and sending instructions to a vehicle steering system and a vehicle brake system to perform the calculated maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon Herzog, Hao Sun, Joyce Chen, Ibro Muharemovic
  • Patent number: 10150506
    Abstract: A steering input apparatus for a trailer backup assist system includes a control element moveable away from a center position sequentially through a first range and a second range of directional positions and biased toward the center position at a first rate through the first range and at a second, greater rate through the second range. The apparatus further includes a control module generating a vehicle steering command based on an instantaneous position of the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 10150507
    Abstract: A body vehicle structure has a front side member, a power plant and an elongated member. The front side member has an outboard opening and an inboard opening open to a hollow interior. The outboard opening and the inboard opening are offset from one another relative to a front end of the front side member. The power plant is supported to the vehicle structure inboard of the front side member adjacent to the inboard opening. The elongated member extends through the outboard opening, the hollow interior, and the inboard opening of the front side member. In response to an impact event of an off-center impact test a front end of the elongated member adjacent and outboard relative to a front end of the front side member is impacted moving a rear end of the elongated member into contact with the vehicle power plant transmitting impacting force thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 10150508
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle frame structure including a front side member base portion in which a rear end portion of an outer-side side wall portion of a front side connecting portion that is joined to the front side member main body portion, and a front end flange portion of a rear side first connecting portion that is joined to a rocker, are connected by a first curved wall portion. Further, a rear end portion of an inner-side side wall portion of the front side connecting portion, and a front end portion of a rear side second connecting portion that is joined to a tunnel, are connected by a second curved wall portion. A minimum radius curvature at a curve of the first curved wall portion is set to be larger than a minimum radius curvature at a curve of the second curved wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10150509
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a frame and a diagonal structure. The frame has a first side member, a second side member and a cross-member that extends in a vehicle lateral direction between the first and second side members. The cross-member is perpendicular to the first and second side members. The diagonal structure has a beam with a rear end that extends to an area of the second side member rearward of the cross-member. An angle of between 35 and 60 degrees is defined between the cross-member and the beam of the diagonal structure. The rear end of the beam is supported to the second side member by a rear attachment bracket such that the rear end of the beam is spaced apart from the second side member with a rear gap being defined between the rear end of the beam and the second side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry McConnell, Christopher Robert Hartley, Patrick Dean Grattan, Joseph Bruno Buratto, Michael James McGory
  • Patent number: 10150510
    Abstract: A vehicle vibration dampening mount assembly includes a housing, a resilient material, a sleeve and a solenoid. The resilient material has an outer portion attached to an interior surface of the housing and defines first and second chambers with a fluid passage extending therebetween. The sleeve is disposed within the housing and is attached to a central portion of the resilient material extending from a first end to a second end of the housing. The solenoid has a fixed portion mounted to the first end of the housing and a movable portion fixedly attached to the sleeve for movement therewith. The fixed portion has an electromagnetic coil arranged concentrically around the movable portion. The solenoid is configured to selectively move the moveable portion, the sleeve and the central portion of the resilient material in response to electrical current being provided to the electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Baluch
  • Patent number: 10150511
    Abstract: A body structure of a vehicle includes: a first panel and a second panel forming a closed cross-sectional portion; a partition panel; a first reinforcement body disposed between the first panel and the partition panel, and includes a first panel joint portion joined to the first panel, and a first flange portion joined to the partition panel; and a second reinforcement body which is disposed between the second panel and the partition panel, and includes a second panel joint portion joined to the second panel, and a second flange portion joined to the partition panel. A joint portion includes a rigid coupling portion in which the first panel and the first panel joint portion are coupled while being in contact with each other, and a flexible coupling portion in which the partition panel and the first flange portion are coupled to each other while interposing a damping member therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Iyoshi, Keizo Kawasaki, Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10150512
    Abstract: An automobile pillar structure is provided that includes a transparent portion that configures a skeleton of a pillar of a vehicle, the transparent portion being made of transparent resin, and being disposed such that a lengthwise direction thereof coincides with a vehicle vertical direction; and a glass holding portion that is disposed at least at a vehicle width direction outer side of the transparent portion, and that holds a glass, the glass holding portion being configured such that width dimension along a direction intersecting the lengthwise direction of the transparent portion is set equal to or less than an interpupillary distance of a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaru Toyota
  • Patent number: 10150513
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure is provided that includes a vehicle body and a roof. The vehicle body comprises a first material, and the roof comprises a second material having a lower rigidity than the first material. The roof includes a flange. An insert is positioned between the vehicle body and the roof to maintain a gap between the vehicle body and the flange, wherein at least a portion of the insert is less rigid than the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Hinz
  • Patent number: 10150514
    Abstract: A tunnel reinforcing member is attached to a front floor tunnel. Second upper wall and second side walls of the tunnel reinforcing member are connected to a first upper wall and first side walls of the front floor tunnel, respectively, such that spaces are formed between second edge portions of the tunnel reinforcing member and first edge portions of the front floor tunnel. A rear portion of the first upper wall of the front floor tunnel faces a lower wall of a cross member with a kick-up part in between. A rear portion of the second upper wall of the tunnel reinforcing member inclines upwards and rearwards so as to be separated apart from the first upper wall of the front floor tunnel and faces a section reinforcing member fixed to the cross member with the kick-up part in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shohei Kabayama
  • Patent number: 10150515
    Abstract: A pick-up truck bed includes a plurality of plates longer in a longitudinal direction than in a transverse direction that are assembled together along longitudinally extending edges to a laterally adjacent one of the plates. The plates each include a plurality of supporting structures longitudinally extending along a length of the plates that support the plates on transversely extending cross-members. A left-side plate defines a left wheel housing cutout, a longitudinally extending central plate includes first and second complementary interlocking features on opposite longitudinally extending sides, and a longitudinally extending right-side plate defines a right wheel housing cutout. The left-side plate includes a first interlocking feature and the right-side plate includes a second interlocking feature that each receive one of the complementary interlocking features of the central plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Jeffrey Gray, Vincent Anthony Chimento
  • Patent number: 10150516
    Abstract: A reinforcement panel for the floor of a pick-up truck bed. The reinforcement panel is assembled between the floor of the pick-up truck and a fifth wheel cross member. The reinforcement panel includes transversely extending reinforcing or stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs resist deflection in the area of the gooseneck ball receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Courtright, Joshua Hemphill, James Adam Drozdowski, John Comiez, Vincent Chimento
  • Patent number: 10150517
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a longitudinal roof spine and a plurality of roof bows extending laterally from the roof spine to a plurality of pillars that extend upwardly from a lower body structure. The roof bows and pillars are connected by corner connectors that include a plug end that is received in an opening defined at an outer end of the roof bow. The opening is defined in a bottom wall of the outer end of the roof bow and is assembled over and supported by the plug end. The opening in the bottom wall of the roof bow is defined between the two side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Jon A. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 10150518
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 10150519
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for designing a reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure includes a deck sill with a connecting end, having substantially uniform area moment of inertia throughout a length of the deck sill. Also, the reinforcement structure includes a rear post with a connecting end and a free end, having a varying area moment of inertia, and where the rear post is attached to the deck sill in a substantially perpendicular manner by attaching the connecting end of the deck sill to the connecting end of the rear post forming the reinforcement structure that limits deflection of the free end of the rear post to a target value upon application of a cantilever force at the free end of the rear post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Higgins, James J. Chung
  • Patent number: 10150520
    Abstract: A spare tire retainer includes a plurality of studs fixed to and extending from one surface of a supporting wall. A tire is assembled to a wheel that defines a plurality of holes that are adapted to receive the plurality of studs. A clamp is assembled to the plurality of studs to secure the wheel to the supporting wall. The plurality of studs may be weld studs that are welded to the supporting wall. The plurality of studs may each define a notch in one side and the clamp may be received in the notches when the clamp is assembled to the studs. A container for a set of tools used to replace a tire is disclosed that may be assembled to the wheel. A plurality of clips is disclosed for securing the container to the wheel. The clips engage a rim of the wheel radially inside the tire. The container may be assembled to the wheel after the clamp secures the wheel to the studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Kaleb Jalpa, Nicole Pamela Herrera Gutierrez, Eva Talia Huerta, Federico Emilio Mejia Barajas, Jorge Adolfo Miranda Nieto
  • Patent number: 10150521
    Abstract: A industrial truck with a drive part, which has a driver stand that has an L-shaped stand platform with a horizontally arranged floor element and a vertically arranged wall element, wherein the floor element is spring-mounted on the drive part by means of at least one spring element and a swing arm, and the wall element has a coupling element that acts on the movement of the stand platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Lohmann
  • Patent number: 10150522
    Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a lower frame, an upper frame connected to the lower frame, and the lower frame includes wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The lower frame also includes support guides configured to support the daughter cart in a raised position to provide a predetermined ground clearance, and the lower frame has two open sides so as to provide for two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart on the mother cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventors: Ian Scarth, Danny W. Pitcher
  • Patent number: 10150523
    Abstract: An off-highway vehicle has a front chassis portion, a rear chassis portion, a front ground drive system and a rear ground drive system. The front chassis portion has a front axle assembly having a front axle housing and a front axle shaft carrying a front wheel hub. The rear chassis portion has a rear axle assembly including a rear axle housing and a rear axle shaft carrying a rear wheel hub. The front ground drive system includes a front drive wheel mounted to the front wheel hub, a front idler wheel mounted to the front axle housing via a front drive frame member in front of the front drive wheel. The rear ground drive system has a rear drive wheel mounted to the rear wheel hub, a rear idler wheel mounted to the rear axle housing via a rear frame member behind the rear drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel Ray Erickson
  • Patent number: 10150524
    Abstract: A transport system has a wheeled, steerable, self-powered, self-navigating carrier vehicle, having a substantially planar support frame, an on-board, rechargeable, battery-based power system, control circuitry, including GPS circuitry, on-board the carrier vehicle, adapted to drive and steer the carrier vehicle, and an upward-facing carrier interface adapted to the support frame, the carrier interface having first physical engagement elements, and a passenger pod adapted to carry both packages and persons, the passenger pod having a structural framework, a rechargeable, battery-based power system, and a downward-facing pod interface adapted to the structural framework, the carrier interface having second physical engagement elements. The passenger pod, placed upon the carrier vehicle, engages the downward-facing pod interface to the upward-facing carrier interface by the first and second physical engagement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Steward Evans
  • Patent number: 10150525
    Abstract: A testing device is disclosed for testing a connection interface coupled onto an assembly line between first and second vehicle components. The testing device includes a tool configured to couple the connection interface, at least one test adapter for testing the coupling of the connection interface, and a sensor device for acquiring a force progression which acts during and/or after the coupling in the connection interface. The testing device also includes an evaluation device to evaluate the force progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthias Berg
  • Patent number: 10150526
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle suspension assembly comprises a body configured to couple to a bicycle frame; a saddle support mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; a suspension spring that biases the saddle support mechanism in a first direction with respect to the body; and a damping apparatus configured to damp motion of the saddle support mechanism with respect to the body, the damping apparatus configured to reduce a level of damping responsive to a terrain-induced force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Patent number: 10150527
    Abstract: An electronic component is integrated into a vehicle body component, such as an automobile, a bicycle, etc., and may be an electronic lighting material and/or an electronic sensor. The vehicle body component is formed of multiple layers of a composite material that may be assembled to take the shape of a mold of a particular vehicle component. A sensor or lighting device is disposed in a void formed in the one or more of the layers of the composite material, and this device may be enclosed in the void by other layers. The lighting material and/or sensing mechanism are configured to connect to a power source via electrical wiring that is disposed either between or through the composite layers that form the vehicle body component and the vehicle body component is then cured to form a hardened vehicle body part with the sensor or lighting device formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: David Salvaggio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10150528
    Abstract: A saddle member is attached to at least one of an upper end portion of a first frame member and an upper end portion of a second frame member of a main frame mechanism and remains to be in a state of being attached to at least one of the upper end portion of the first frame member and the upper end portion of the second frame member in a folded mode, a seated driving mode, and a standing driving mode, with locking function of a third lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA IRON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi Kano
  • Patent number: 10150529
    Abstract: The present invention is a folding bicycle that folds along a vertical axis into a compact, free standing unit. Specifically, the present invention comprises a front frame assembly and a rear frame assembly connected at a hinge point. The method of folding the bicycle is quick and easy, resulting in a folded position wherein the front and rear wheels are near adjacent. An optional bushing assembly at the hinge point laterally separates the front and rear frame assemblies as the bicycle folds. The folded bicycle can be easily rolled while folded to another location. When stationary, the seat post and saddle act as a floor rest to keep the folded bicycle balanced in its upright position. The folding mechanism can be locked or unlocked using a remote wireless device, such as a mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventors: Agustin Augustinoy, Eric Sevillia, Lucas Daniel Toledo
  • Patent number: 10150530
    Abstract: A bicycle can include a forward frame triangle that can include a top tube, a bottom tube, a bottom bracket, a structural seat tube, a compliant seat tube, and a pair of seat stays. The top tube can have a first end connected to a head tube and a second end. The bottom tube can have a first end connected to the head tube. The bottom bracket can be connected to the bottom tube. The structural seat tube can be connected to the bottom bracket and the top tube. The compliant seat tube can extend in an upward direction, from the bottom bracket to the top tube and within the structural seat tube. The compliant seat tube can be coupled to the forward frame triangle such that the compliant seat post can bend within the structural seat tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Reggie Lund, Steven Moechnig
  • Patent number: 10150531
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device includes a changer and a controller. The changer is configured to change a relative position of a body of a vehicle relative to an axle of a wheel of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the changer to make the relative position a target value so as to control a vehicle height of the body of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the changer to maintain the relative position irrespective of the target value when a decreasing malfunction occurs causing the vehicle height to decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kasuga, Takahiro Koresawa
  • Patent number: 10150532
    Abstract: A gear driven by wobble movement contains an ergonomic pendulum (D), a centric disk (C) and a flywheel (A) having a common axis (S) of rotation. In the axis (S) of rotation a shaft (H) is placed which is joined to the pendulum (D). The mutual concentric position of the centric disk (C) and the flywheel (A) is delimitated by planet disk (B) which contacts the periphery of the centric disk (C) and the internal periphery of the flywheel (A) and is joined rotatably to the supporting structure (T). The supporting structure (T) is fixed to the linked structure which fixes the supporting structure (T), together with the planet disk (B), against rotation with respect to the axis (S) of rotation. A first freewheel (V1) is situated between the shaft (H) and flywheel (A) and a second freewheel (V2) is situated between the shaft (H) and centric disc (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: COMTES FHT a.s.
    Inventors: Zbysek Novy, Miroslav Urbanek, Filip Tikal
  • Patent number: 10150533
    Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly comprises a sprocket unit and a crank axle. The sprocket unit includes a sprocket having a rotational center axis. The sprocket includes a plurality of driving teeth. A total number of the plurality of driving teeth is equal to or larger than 38. The crank axle extends along the rotational center axis. The sprocket unit is movable relative to the crank axle in an axial direction of the rotational center axis within a movable range having an axial length equal to or smaller than 8 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 10150534
    Abstract: A motorized gear reducer is provided with a hollow motor in the housing and including an annular rotor having a through hole, and a shaft passing through the through hole; and a planetary gear train in the through hole and placed on the shaft, the planetary gear train including a sun gear assembly having a first sun gear in the housing, and a second sun gear on the shaft; planet gear assemblies equally spaced apart around the sun gear assembly, each including a first planet gear meshing with the first sun gear, and a second planet gear coaxially disposed with the first planet gear and meshing with the second sun gear; and a ring gear on an inner surface of the rotor. A speed reduction ratio of a first stage and a speed reduction ratio of a second stage are rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: PRODRIVES & MOTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Sheng Liang, Chu-Hsiang Tseng
  • Patent number: 10150535
    Abstract: Offloading cargo from a cargo vessel and delivering the cargo to a cargo recipient, or loading cargo onto the cargo vessel from a cargo supplier, may be performed using a cargo vessel which is spread moored at sea to a plurality of mooring points for mooring the cargo vessel in a desired orientation. Alternatively, the cargo vessel may be rotatably moored. Tubing may be provided and configured to be connected to the vessel for fluid communication between the vessel and the cargo recipient or the cargo supplier, and may comprise a first portion configured to be connected to the cargo vessel and a second portion configured to be connected to the cargo recipient or the cargo supplier. A semi-submersible unit may be operable to travel across the sea and carry part of the tubing from a stand-by location to a position adjacent to the cargo vessel, so as to allow an end of the first portion of the tubing to be connected the cargo vessel for offloading or loading the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: 7 Seas Technology AS
    Inventors: Svein Børge Hellesmark, Keith Gill, Per Gunnar Andersen
  • Patent number: 10150537
    Abstract: An aft-mounted dive platform system includes at least one hull portion rigidly affixed to a hull of a boat. A dive platform is slidably attached to the at least one hull portion and is positioned, at least partially, behind at least one propeller drive system affixed to the stern of the boat. An actuation system is configured to effectuate essentially vertical displacement of the dive platform with respect to the at least one hull portion. An interface system is configured to couple the actuation system with a rotation system for the at least one propeller drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Japec Jakopin
  • Patent number: 10150538
    Abstract: A self-tensioning seating system for boats with minimal wind resistance and enhanced accessibility. The seat material can be netting or a fibrous material allowing for wind to pass through. The seating system includes outwardly angled side rails having the profile of furniture, such as seats, chaize lounges, ottomans and the like. The side rails are secured within peripheral sleeves in the seat material. An embodiment of the invention provides a conversion with full body rowing functionality. The system provides robust simplified furniture frames that assemble without fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: David Salz
  • Patent number: 10150539
    Abstract: A convertible seating system for a marine vessel includes a frame and a seat mounted on the frame and defining a first support surface. A backrest is configured for movement relative to the seat and the frame between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the backrest defines a second support surface lying generally parallel and vertically displaced relative to the first support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob W. Wilson, Paul Sherwood-Berndt
  • Patent number: 10150540
    Abstract: An apparatus for towing a water sports performer including a first leg, a second leg, a header, and a tow-line-attachment structure. Each of the first leg and second leg is adapted for attachment to one of the port side of a centerline of a boat or the starboard side of a centerline of a boat. The header is capable of assuming a plurality of different header lengths, and includes a first header portion, a second header portion, a housing, and a locking mechanism. The housing connects the first header portion and the second header portion. The housing includes a first receiver configured to receive a second end of the first header portion at a plurality of different positions. The locking mechanism is configured to secure the second end of the first header portion to the housing in one of the plurality of different positions to set the header length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC, Gere Marie Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan D. Lake, Darren S. Sheedy, James G. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10150541
    Abstract: A method includes calculating a frequency and a phase of a vibration of a floating vessel, generating a control signal based on the vibration frequency and the vibration phase, operating a motion compensation system of the floating vessel during an ith control cycle using the control signal to mitigate the vibration of the floating vessel, calculating a first vibration amplitude based on the control signal, updating one or more parameters including a magnitude of the control signal, a decay rate of the vibration, the vibration phase, and the vibration frequency using the first vibration amplitude, updating the control signal based on the one or more updated parameters, and operating the motion compensation system based on the updated control signal during an (i+1)th control cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Dykstra, Xingyong Song, Yiming Zhao
  • Patent number: 10150542
    Abstract: A planning boat includes at least one tank provided on a bottom of the boat. The tank has, at a stern side, a wall through which a through hole is provided below a waterline. A hull of the planning boat includes a bottom plate that forms the bottom of the boat, right and left side plates that form sides of the boat and a bow, a transom plate that forms a stern, and a plurality of longitudinal vertical plates. The plurality of longitudinal vertical plates each extend between the transom plate and forward portions of the side plates along a sailing direction and each have a lower surface that is fixed to an upper surface of the bottom plate. The tank is formed by using the pair of longitudinal vertical plates of the existing planning boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Masayuki Izume