Patents Issued in March 26, 2019
  • Patent number: 10239554
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a steering angle control section that calculates a steering angle control current command value for the steering angle control, calculates the current command value using at least the steering angle control current command value; the steering angle control section includes a position control section that calculates a basic steering angular velocity command value, a steering intervention compensating section that obtains a compensatory steering angular velocity command value, and a steering angular velocity control section that calculates the steering angle control current command value by the basic steering angular velocity command value, the compensatory steering angular velocity command value and an actual steering angular velocity; the steering intervention compensating section includes a compensation gain section that multiplies the steering torque by a steering intervention compensation gain, and obtains the compensatory steering angular velocity command valu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 10239555
    Abstract: A guidance system identifies a path on a field and then calculates a position and heading of a trailer relative to the path. The guidance system steers a vehicle connected to the trailer based on the calculated trailer position and heading to minimize the trailer positional error and more quickly and accurately align the trailer with the path. The guidance system may align the trailer with the path while steering the vehicle in a reverse direction and may steer the vehicle based on a predicted trailer position and heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AGJUNCTION LLC
    Inventors: Eran D. B. Medagoda, Timothy J. Sullivan, Brendan M. Joiner, Andreas F. Ramm, Tri M. Dang
  • Patent number: 10239556
    Abstract: Magnetorheological-damper-based steering apparatus and methods for reducing steering wheel jerk resulting from off-road wheel impact are described. An example steering damper apparatus includes a magnetorheological (MR) rotary damper to be operatively coupled to a steering column shaft. The example steering damper apparatus further includes a sensor to detect an angular velocity associated with the steering column shaft. The example steering damper apparatus further includes a controller to energize the MR rotary damper in response to determining that the angular velocity exceeds an angular velocity threshold. The angular velocity threshold is associated with steering wheel jerk resulting from an off-road wheel impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Bossio, Chris M Paiva, Steven Thompson, Zachary Grifka
  • Patent number: 10239557
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control device includes: an EPS device turning a wheel of a vehicle; and a control device performing autonomous driving control that controls autonomous driving of the vehicle. The autonomous driving control includes: calculating a target steering angle of the wheel; and actuating the EPS device to turn the wheel such that a steering angle of the wheel becomes the target steering angle. Calculating the target steering angle includes: calculating an autonomous driving steering angle and a target state quantity required for automatic steering in the autonomous driving; calculating a counter steering angle required for vehicle stabilization control, based on the target state quantity without using a steering wheel angle; and calculating a sum of the autonomous driving steering angle and the counter steering angle as the target steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Go Inoue, Mitsutaka Tanimoto, Takahiro Yokota, Yoshio Kudo, Yutaka Aoki
  • Patent number: 10239558
    Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure including: a left and right pair of vehicle body frame members; a lower extension section joined to each of the left and right pair of vehicle body frame members, the lower extension section including: a front lower extension section extending toward a vehicle lower side, and a rear lower extension section disposed at a vehicle rear side of the front lower extension section and extending toward the vehicle lower side; and a front-rear direction extension section that bridges the vehicle front-rear direction between the front lower extension section and the rear lower extension section, the front-rear direction extension section provided with a lower arm support section that a lower arm is attached to pivotably substantially a vehicle vertical direction, and the front-rear direction extension section being joined to the rear lower extension section at the vehicle rear side of the lower arm support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuichi Okumoto
  • Patent number: 10239559
    Abstract: A vehicle frame is provided. The vehicle frame includes a body frame, a subframe mounted to the body frame, and a bumper frame coupled to the body frame. The bumper frame includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The vehicle frame also includes at least one brace coupling the beam to the subframe adjacent to at least one of the beam ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony John Leanza, Brian Christopher Bray
  • Patent number: 10239560
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle subframe (1) in which a projecting portion (24, 31) of a front member (20) extends upward, while projecting from a body portion in a width direction, to have an upper end (25, 32), and exhibits a convex shape toward a front side, with the upper end (25, 32) functioning as a front attachment portion to a vehicle body, in such a manner that support stiffness of a suspension can be improved, while ensuring favorable productivity, high strength, and the like, with a simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: F-TECH INC., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norio Tomikuda, Takuya Tsurumi, Tomoyuki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10239561
    Abstract: A side collision load transmission structure including a floor tunnel, a vehicle compartment side wall, a vehicle seat, side frames, a first transmission member that couples together lower end portions of the pair of side frames along the vehicle width direction, a load receiving member, and a second transmission member that couples together a portion further to a seatback up-down direction upper side than a join portion with the first transmission member on the side frame, out of the pair of side frames, on the vehicle compartment side wall side and a portion of the first transmission member that is further to a vehicle width direction outside than the length direction center of the first transmission member so as to be coupled at an incline as viewed from the front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsumasa Kindaichi, Kanichi Saito
  • Patent number: 10239562
    Abstract: A vehicle with a passenger area having a seat disposed therein and an opening of the passenger area on the right or left sides of the seat. The vehicle frame includes an opening frame portion defining the opening of the passenger area. The opening frame portion comprises a lower attachment portion for attaching a hinge of a first door to the opening frame portion, and an upper attachment portion for attaching a hinge of a second door to the opening frame portion. The lower attachment portion and the upper attachment portion are portions formed by at least one of machining and welding. The lower attachment portion is formed in the main body frame of the vehicle frame, and the upper attachment portion is formed in the case of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keith Kotrla
  • Patent number: 10239563
    Abstract: A stiffening assembly for a vehicle cowl panel includes a pair of cooperating C-shaped brackets. Each of the pair of cooperating C-shaped brackets comprises cooperating bracket arms adapted for holding opposed ends of the pair of cooperating C-shaped brackets at varying distances from one another. Each of the pair of cooperating C-shaped brackets comprises a pair of parallel bracket arms which align with one another when the stiffening assembly is attached to the cowl panel. Cowl panel and instrument panel assemblies incorporating one or more stiffening assemblies and vehicles incorporating the cowl panel and instrument panel assemblies are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Sreenivas Kuchibhatla
  • Patent number: 10239564
    Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure may include a front side member formed to extend along a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and respectively disposed on both sides along a width direction of the vehicle; a side sill member formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and disposed on both sides outside of the front side member along the width direction of the vehicle; and a reinforcing member formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle and having one end portion and the other end portion, respectively coupled to the front side member and the side sill member to connect the front side member and the side sill member, increasing a structural strength to effectively respond to a front collision accident and a front small overlap collision accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ildo Kim
  • Patent number: 10239565
    Abstract: A pickup truck tailgate lifting system and apparatus. The system in communication with the tailgate of the truck and located within an interior of the truck bed. The apparatus comprising a motor, a sprocket, a chain, and pins located on opposed ends of the tailgate, wherein the chain engages the tailgate and moves the tailgate from a closed position to an open position. The pins of the apparatus allow for normal operation of the tailgate during non-use of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: John Michael Baker
  • Patent number: 10239566
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body. A floor of the cargo body is constructed of a first composite material. A roof, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a nose of the cargo body are constructed of a second composite material different from the first composite material. Various components of the composite cargo body are bonded together with an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners also may be used to join other components of composite cargo body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Michael L. Thoma, Scott A. Storz
  • Patent number: 10239567
    Abstract: The extendable truck bed comprises and extension bed floor and extensible side panels that allow the cargo bed of a pickup truck to be expanded so as to provide an increased cargo capacity. The extendable truck bed moves from a ‘nominal bed length’ position to an ‘extended bed length’ position under control of one or more operator controls that may be located in the cab of the truck. In the ‘nominal bed length’ position the extension bed floor is located beneath the truck bed floor and the extensible panels are located in a left side panel pocket and a right side panel pocket in the side walls of the truck bed. A left side motor and right side motor drive a left side flexible linkage and a right side flexible linkage to move the extension bed floor and extensible side panels to the ‘extended bed length’ position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Alice Parrish
  • Patent number: 10239568
    Abstract: An aerodynamic unit is configured for attachment onto a roof of a road vehicle, so that air passes over the unit during forward movement of the road vehicle. The unit has a first end for positioning distal to a rear end of a vehicle roof, and a second end for positioning proximal a rear end of a vehicle roof. The unit includes an inclined guide portion which decreases in height in a direction towards the trailing end of the unit. The unit also includes a flow director at or near the leading end of the aerodynamic unit, for directing air flow to the guide portion. The flow director is configured to have a height increasing in a direction from the leading end towards the trailing end. The unit may include vortex generators protruding from the guide portion. A fin may extend along each side of the unit in a direction between the trailing end and the leading end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew Bacon
  • Patent number: 10239569
    Abstract: A mobile farm implement includes a track assembly with a plurality of arms that are pivotally coupled to support idler wheels and bogie wheels such that the track assembly is able to better conform to the terrain when the implement is towed behind a tractor or otherwise moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Christopher M. Self, John Walvatne
  • Patent number: 10239570
    Abstract: A tilt management device configured to perform tilt correction. The device measures a direction of tilt using a tilt sensor. Circuitry rotates connected arms to compensate for the measured tilt by modulating a center of mass of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen J. Lesko
  • Patent number: 10239571
    Abstract: A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ARCTIC CAT INC.
    Inventors: Craig R. Kennedy, Ryan J. Hughes, Adam Eric Kuiken
  • Patent number: 10239572
    Abstract: In a conveyance seat, a linear member can be adequately hooked on a bottom wall and a state that the linear member is hooked on the bottom wall is adequately maintained. A bottom plate is provided with a protruding part on which a suspension strap is hooked when suspending a skin material, and a position variable part capable of changing a relative position to the protruding part. The position variable part can move between a first position where it contacts or engages the protruding part and a second position where it is disengaged from the protruding part. In a state that the relative position of the position variable part with respect to the protruding part is in the first position, at least a part of the position variable part projects further outward than a side surface of the protruding part in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the protruding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Sugiyama, Katsumi Kishida
  • Patent number: 10239573
    Abstract: A light sensing illumination device for bicycle includes a seat, a reflector, and an illumination device. The seat includes a housing space. The reflector is disposed in the seat and in the housing space, and the reflector includes a reflection curved face which is formed in a smooth arc shape with a concave face thereof facing an opening of the housing space. The illumination unit is disposed in the housing space and projects light beam toward the reflection curved face. With a smooth arc shaped reflection curved face, the light beam projected by the illumination unit is completely reflected, so as to improve the light condensing effect and efficiently enhance the overall brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Shun-Li Yang
  • Patent number: 10239574
    Abstract: The application relates to a scooter with a very short, compact footboard, the front width of which corresponds to the width of two feet placed side by side on the footboard and the length of the foot plate of which corresponds to the length of the rider's feet. At its front end, the footboard has laterally projecting wings as footrests that are symmetrical to the steering column and the center line, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Helmut Abel
  • Patent number: 10239575
    Abstract: An inverted two-wheeled vehicle includes: an inverted two-wheeled vehicle body; a pair of step plates, a rider putting both feet on the pair of step plates; a parallel link mechanism that links the pair of step plates so that the pair of step plates are inclined to the right or the left in unison; a handle that is supported by the inverted two-wheeled vehicle body; and a controller that controls a turning movement of the inverted two-wheeled vehicle according to an inclination of the pair of step plates in the horizontal direction. The handle is supported by the inverted two-wheeled vehicle body so that the handle does not work with the pair of step plates when the step plates are inclined to the right or the left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouta Oishi, Satoshi Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 10239576
    Abstract: A front wheel drive bicycle assembly includes a frame that may be mounted for riding. A front wheel is rotatably coupled to a front end of the frame and the front wheel rolls along a support surface. A pedal unit is rotatably coupled to the frame and the pedal unit is selectively pedaled. The pedal unit is in mechanical communication with the front wheel to rotate the front wheel thereby urging the frame along the support surface. A rear wheel is rotatably coupled to a back end of the frame and the rear wheel rolls along the support surface. Moreover, the rear wheel is selectively rotated about a vertical axis for steering. A steering unit is movably coupled to the frame and the steering unit is in mechanical communication with the rear wheel. In this way the steering unit selectively rotates the rear wheel about the vertical axis for steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Mike Warner
  • Patent number: 10239577
    Abstract: The transmission is for transmitting a reciprocating pedal movement into a rotational movement and comprises a pair of pedals suspended for reciprocating movement, two rotating cam members (29) rotating around respective cam axes (33), each rotating cam member (29) having a peripheral cam surface (31), the rotating cam members (29) being coupled to a rotating member (35) through a respective one-way clutch. Flexible tension members (63) are connecting either pedal to a respective one of the rotating cam members (29), which are eccentric to provide for a gearing ratio between angular movement of the rotating cam member (29) and translational movement of the respective pedal to vary, such that the gearing ratio has a minimum value when the pedal is in an intermediate position between its extended position and its retracted position, and major values when the pedal is in its retracted or extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: J.M.J. Holdings APS
    Inventor: Jørgen Mosbaek Johannessen
  • Patent number: 10239578
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for a vehicle, having a drive or electromotor, a crankshaft and a transmission, in particular a hub transmission. It is provided according to the invention that the transmission (10) is arranged in the central region of the vehicle, in particular the region of the crankshaft (1) and in particular is integrated and the crankshaft rotational speed is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: LSP Innovative Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Leiber
  • Patent number: 10239579
    Abstract: A bicycle electric rear derailleur that has a support body configured to be mounted on a bicycle frame at an assembly of wheels coaxial with a hub of a rear wheel of the bicycle, a movable body, having a chain guide and linkage between the movable body and the support body. The linkage between the movable body and the support body comprises an inner connecting rod and an outer connecting rod. The ends of the rods are articulated to the support body and to the movable body to form an articulated parallelogram. A battery power supply unit is supported by one of the inner connecting rod and the outer connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Paolo Pasqua, Davide Bernardele
  • Patent number: 10239580
    Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a first frame member and a second frame member configured to be pivotally connected to the first frame member about a pivot axis. The first frame member includes a threaded hole, through which a fixing bolt for fixing a mounting member of a bicycle front derailleur to the first frame member passes, and an abutting portion configured to restrict rotation of a mounting member of a bicycle front derailleur around the fixing bolt by abutting the mounting member. The threaded hole is located on a front side of the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 10239581
    Abstract: A shift and brake lever assembly including a brake lever having a first surface facing a handlebar and a second surface facing away from a handlebar. A shift lever may be mounted to the second surface of the brake lever using mounting components. Complementary apertures of the various mounting components may lie on a common longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Gevenalle, Inc
    Inventor: Adam John Clement
  • Patent number: 10239582
    Abstract: An automatic shifting device for a bicycle is disclosed. The device may include a shifting actuator to activate the gearshift mechanism, a computing unit connected to the shifting actuator, an operator control/display unit connected to the computing unit, an inclination angle sensor, and a velocity sensor. The operator control/display unit may receive a first input value of a gear speed of the gearshift mechanism for starting on a level underlying surface; a second input value of a velocity of the bicycle at which shifting into a maximum gear speed of the gearshift mechanism takes place on a level underlying surface; and a third input value of a velocity of the bicycle at which shifting into a maximum gear speed for this terrain inclination takes place on an underlying surface with a positive terrain inclination. An individualized shifting algorithm based on the input values may be stored in the computing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dagmar Münch, Matthias Herbrich, Fabian Kempe, Ralf Weippert, Thomas Drescher
  • Patent number: 10239583
    Abstract: A covering system for removably covering a vehicle, such as a boat, that includes a plurality of rotatively anchored swing arms rotatable between a covered position and an uncovered position. Each swing arm includes a mount and a pretensioner formed of one or more stays adjustably attached to part of a shaft of the arm to adjust an applied preload and transfer forces encountered during operation to part of the shaft rotatively anchored by the mount to a grounded structure such as a piling or post of a dock. The swing arms are pivotally connected to an elongate transversely extending carriage from which a cover is suspended with a boom of each arm connected to the carriage by a pivot assembly that also facilitates carriage and cover position adjustment. A pivot limiter can be included that limits or even stops pivoting of the carriage relative to the swing arm boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Marine Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Randy Kent
  • Patent number: 10239584
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-layer hatch cover support pad for supporting a hatch cover on a coaming structure of a ship. The multi-layer hatch cover support pad comprises an outer wear surface for sliding against a mating surface provided on the hatch cover or the coaming structure, a wear layer comprising first and second opposite sides, the first side defining the outer wear surface, the wear layer comprising a first plastic material, and, a base layer comprising third and fourth opposite sides, the third side being joined to the second side. The base layer comprises a second polymer material which is less abrasion resistant than the first plastic material. By making the base layer, which in practice makes up the main part of the multi-layer hatch cover support pad, out of the second polymer material, the cost of the multi-layer hatch cover support pad is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cargo Care Solutions B.V.
    Inventors: Torben Brammer, Peter Peltenburg
  • Patent number: 10239585
    Abstract: A rope tender for a recreational watercraft is removably attached to the top of an outboard motor or a transom of the watercraft. The rope tender has a partial labyrinth slot which captively receive one or more anchor or mooring ropes to prevent entanglement of the ropes with the motor or propellers associated therewith. The rope tender may be conveniently removed and stowed when the watercraft is configured in an operational condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: James Stanly Styke, Terrence Robert Sobo
  • Patent number: 10239586
    Abstract: A pool toy consists of a flexible, buoyant pool noodle with a drink holder mounted to one end. A user sits on or astride the noodle in a well-known manner to float relaxingly in a generally upright posture in a pool, lake, or other body of water. The weight of the user on the flexible noodle causes the noodle to bend into a substantially U-shaped configuration, in which at least one end of the pool noodle projects above the surface of the water. The drink holder is mounted to an end of the pool noodle that is located above the surface of the water, providing a handy location to hold a beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Harbaugh
  • Patent number: 10239587
    Abstract: A buoy storage system for storing buoys on a boat includes a plurality of buoys that is each employed on a boat. A plurality of baskets is provided and each of the baskets is mounted on a deck of the boat such that each of the baskets is accessible to a user. Each of the buoys is removably positioned in an associated one of the baskets for storage and each of the buoys is vertically oriented in the associated basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph Corman
  • Patent number: 10239588
    Abstract: A watercraft may include a crane for lifting loads. The crane may include a tower and a boom that is rotatble with respect to the tower. The tower may be positioned inside the outer contour of the watercraft so as to minimize the profile of the watercraft on radar. The watercraft may include a superstructure within which the tower may be disposed. The superstructure may include planar outer walls that are obtuse relative to a horizontal plane. A rotary bearing may be utilized to connect the boom to the tower and permit the boom to rotate relative to the tower. Further, when the boom is in a rest position, a lower edge of the boom may be positioned 10 cm or less above the crane deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYSTEMS GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Wolfram Determann
  • Patent number: 10239589
    Abstract: A storage caddy system for mounting underneath a seat has a mounting bracket for attachment between a bottom of the seat and at least one leg, and a storage caddy removably attached to the mounting bracket. The storage caddy has at least one storage compartment for storing an item, which is accessible by at least one access point in an outer wall of the storage caddy. The storage caddy is configured to allow movement of the seat relative to the leg. The storage caddy is slidable relative to the mounting bracket in a direction perpendicular to the leg from a partially stowed position to a fully stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Premier Marine, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikenzie Murphy
  • Patent number: 10239590
    Abstract: Floats having a buoyant portion and a chamber portion hold liquid within their chambers above the interface of the surrounding body of liquid and gas which creates a downward force which stabilizes the float. If the liquid is water, the float holds water in the inner chamber which is disposed above the waterline of the body of water in which the float is suspended. The elevated water exerts a downward force that acts against rocking, swaying, and other destabilizing forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: James Montgomery
  • Patent number: 10239591
    Abstract: A wakeboat has a hull, the hull forming a wake when moving forward in the water, with a port disturbance and a starboard disturbance in the wake. A trim tab is supported by the hull at the stern of the hull. The trim tab comprises a primary subtab and a secondary subtab. One or more actuators may be optionally included to reposition the trim tab more into, or more out of, the water. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Skier's Choice, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lawrence Hartman, Matthew Douglas Brown, Travis Lane Turley
  • Patent number: 10239592
    Abstract: A keel guard is comprised of a strip of PVC material having a length and a width. An alignment section is positioned along the length of the strip that is visible through the PVC material. The alignment section, which may be a groove for engaging the keel, facilitates installation and enables the installer to maintain the desired straightness along the entire installed length. Additionally, the see-through PVC material reveals any trapped air bubbles between the keel guard and the hull, enabling the are bubbles to be more easily removed, thereby providing a stronger, more uniform bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher James Yarsevich
  • Patent number: 10239593
    Abstract: A boat fender includes a vinyl fender core that is sized and shaped for suspension adjacent a boat exterior to protect the boat exterior from damage resulting from impact with an obstacle. An integrated cover is secured to the fender core, such as by flocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: David S. Karpinski
  • Patent number: 10239594
    Abstract: An arrangement of fenders nested together for compact storage, the fenders including two or more cylindrical bodies having a cavity accessed through the fender top, the fenders being similar shape but graduated in size such that the cavity of a larger fender tensionally receives the next smaller sized fender, the outer diameter of the smaller fender equal to the inner diameter of the larger fender cavity. A fender has a rigid inner core surrounded by a compressible shell made of foam or similar material. The inner core has attachment points for a rope or line. The smallest nesting fender in the set has a cavity diameter sized to fit a commercially-available, off-the-shelf fender. The fenders may be separated and deployed at individual locations on a vessel, or kept together and deployed as a single fender capable of absorbing a greater impact than any of the fenders individually would absorb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Contact Left, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Denney, Jr., Robert Carrasca, Christopher Hamlin
  • Patent number: 10239595
    Abstract: The present application relates an automatically arranged emergency shipwreck position-indicating buoy, which belongs to the technical field of navigation (ship) aids. The automatically arranged emergency shipwreck position-indicating buoy comprises a gasbag, a rope, a high-pressure gas storage device, and a position-indicating light assembly; a rear end of the rope is wound onto a shaft arranged on the gasbag and a front end of the rope is arranged on a ship; a gas outlet of the high-pressure gas storage device is communicated with a gas inlet of the gasbag, and a sealing device is arranged at the gas outlet of the high-pressure gas storage device, and the sealing device is connected to the rope by a connector so as to be arranged on the ship; the position-indicating light assembly is arranged above the gasbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Qingyong Yang, Lingling Xu
  • Patent number: 10239596
    Abstract: A device for redirecting a portion of the reverse flow of a jet stream created by a watercraft to provide a lateral thrust. The main body of device is fixed to the watercraft and includes a channel disposed therein. The channel has a curve that is defined by an outer wall. The channel fluidly connects an inlet to an outlet. The reverse flow enters inlet in a downward and backward direction with respect to main body. The inlet and the channel of main body bend the reverse flow such that when the reverse flow exits the outlet the reverse flow is primarily lateral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Miller W. Owen, III
  • Patent number: 10239597
    Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SEVEN MARINE, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Davis, Richard A. Davis
  • Patent number: 10239598
    Abstract: An outboard motor having an internal combustion engine that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a planetary transmission that operatively connects the driveshaft to a transmission output shaft, a band brake configured to shift the planetary transmission amongst a forward gear, neutral gear and reverse gear, a hydraulic actuator is configured to actuate the band brake, and a cooling water circuit that extends adjacent to the hydraulic actuator so that the hydraulic actuator exchanges heat with cooling water in the cooling water circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne M. Jaszewski
  • Patent number: 10239599
    Abstract: A stern drive arrangement is for propelling a marine vessel in water. A diverter valve is movable into and between an open position in which the exhaust gas is allowed to flow through the above-water outlet via the secondary exhaust conduit and a closed position in which the exhaust gas is at least partially prevented from flowing through an above-water outlet via a secondary exhaust conduit. Via a bypass conduit, the exhaust gas in the secondary exhaust conduit can bypass the diverter valve and discharge to atmosphere when the diverter valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Biel, Andrew S. Waisanen, Jeffrey C. Etapa, Bret A. Martin, Daniel E. Clarkson
  • Patent number: 10239600
    Abstract: A marine propulsion assembly includes a propeller having a threaded hub whose threads are used for engaging with a drive shaft. The drive shaft includes both a first set of threads and second set of threads such that the first set of threads are used to engage with a keeper nut and a second set of threads are used to engage within the propeller hub. The first set of threads are configured to be opposite the direction of propeller rotation for preventing rotation of the keeper nut while the second set of threads are configured opposite the direction of rotation of the propeller to prevent the propeller from loosening on the drive shaft. The drive shaft further includes a tapered section for providing a stop to the propeller when engaging with the second set of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AMG Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Diekevers
  • Patent number: 10239601
    Abstract: A device for fireproofing a section of a structural part made of composite material. The device includes a skin having an outer surface configured to face the flame and an inner surface. The skin is made of composite material that includes fibrous reinforcement in a polymer matrix. The skin includes a fastener to fasten the part to the structure. The device includes a layer of needled mineral felt placed between the inner surface of the skin and a surface of the structural part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DAHER AEROSPACE
    Inventors: Fabrice Landais, Dominique Soubelet
  • Patent number: 10239602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-spar torsion box structure comprising a plurality of spars of composite material arranged to form a multi-cell structure with two or more cells extending longitudinally along the torsion box, and upper and lower skin covers formed of composite material and joined to upper and lower surfaces of the multi-cell structure, respectively. The structure further comprises at least one belt-like reinforcing element extending around the outer perimeter of the torsion box, and fixed to the upper and lower surfaces of the multi-cell structure, and transversely arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction of the torsion box. The belt-like reinforcing element is made of a metallic or a composite material. The disclosed torsion box can advantageously be used in the manufacture of aircraft lifting surfaces, such as horizontal tailplanes (HTP) or wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE, S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Garcia Nieto, Soledad Crespo Pena, Jesus Javier Vazquez Castro
  • Patent number: 10239603
    Abstract: An upper attachment system for a trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) comprises: a housing, holding a yoke and a ballscrew; a nut coupled to the housing and cooperating with the ballscrew such that rotation of the ballscrew relative to the nut results in linear motion of the ballscrew; a recess formed between the yoke and the ballscrew and arranged to receive, in use, an upper part of a tie bar of the secondary load path of the actuator; and a biasing mechanism arranged such that, in use, when no axial load is applied to the tie bar, the yoke and the ballscrew are held by balanced forces from the biasing mechanism in a position within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventors: Raphael Medina, Anh-Vu Abdul-Bari