Patents Issued in October 29, 2019
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Patent number: 10457326Abstract: A method of controlling a reverse speed of a vehicle includes receiving a command from an operator to begin an autonomous backup of the vehicle. The method also includes automatically controlling a powertrain and/or a brake system of the vehicle to regulate the vehicle to travel at a predetermined speed in reverse in response receiving the command from the operator.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: Vaughn James Swanson
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Patent number: 10457327Abstract: A method of assisting a driver of a vehicle includes obtaining a feature of a road to be traveled by the vehicle with a sensor and/or a GPS system. A parameter is selected to assist a driver of the vehicle in driving a segment of the road based on the feature of the road. The parameter includes information on the location of a boundary along the road and a preferred trajectory to be driven along the road. A controller determines whether a current trajectory of the vehicle while travelling the road is deviating from the preferred trajectory of the vehicle along the road. A feedback operation is provided to assist the driver in guiding the vehicle nearer to the preferred trajectory based on the selected parameter.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshiro Takamatsu, Yuji Takada, Yoshinori Kusayanagi, Norimasa Kishi
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Patent number: 10457328Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle providing a road departure protection feature comprises a camera, mounted to the vehicle to provide a view of a driving direction of the vehicle, and an electronic control unit connected to the camera. The electronic control unit includes instructions for analyzing the image and comparing the roadway path to the predicted vehicle path. The electronic control unit determines a vehicle roadway departure is occurring when the predicted vehicle path differs from the roadway path by a predetermined threshold, and then determines at least one corrective action to return the vehicle path to the roadway path. The safety system sends instructions to apply at least one corrective action with at least an electronic stability control system.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy J McClain, Dominik Froehlich, David Leslie Agnew, Ibro Muharemovic, Graham Lanier Fletcher
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Patent number: 10457329Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes a front side member rear extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, a part of a front side of the front side member rear being an inclined portion inclined such that a position of the inclined portion rises toward a front side of the vehicle, and a tubular front side member fixed to the inclined portion of the front side member rear and extending from the inclined portion to the front side of the vehicle. A plate-shaped reinforcing member is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the front side member, the reinforcing member is provided with an extending portion extending to a rear side of the vehicle behind a rear end of the front side member, and the extending portion is fixed to the front side member rear.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Shimizu
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Patent number: 10457330Abstract: An electrically powered motor vehicle for transport of goods, of the minivan type, includes a main frame, a front axle assembly and a rear axle assembly. The main frame includes a front frame subassembly, a floor-panel subassembly, a rear frame subassembly, and a top frame subassembly. Each of these frame subassemblies includes a lattice structure including box-section elements made of steel, preferably high-strength steel. Each of the frame subassemblies is prearranged for being preassembled separately and subsequently assembled together with the other subassemblies so as to constitute the main frame. The structure is such as to afford high flexibility of production, and presents at the same time considerable safety characteristics, thanks to a high capacity of absorption of impact energy. The motor vehicle is equipped with a transporting body having a hollow-walled body made of plastic material, filled with foamed plastic material, preferably obtained with the rotational-molding technique.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignees: Interactive Fully Electrical Vehicles S.R.L., Poli-Model S.R.L.Inventors: Pietro Perlo, Pietro Guerrieri
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Patent number: 10457331Abstract: A vehicle pillar structure, including: a first pillar; a second pillar that is disposed a predetermined distance away from the first pillar substantially in a vehicle front-rear direction, with an upper end portion of the second pillar being coupled to an upper end portion of the first pillar and with a lower end portion of the second pillar being coupled to a lower end portion of the first pillar; a transparent member that spans between the first pillar and the second pillar to thereby cover an opening formed by the first pillar and the second pillar, and through which an area exterior to the vehicle can be seen; and a reinforcement member that couples a vehicle upper portion side of the first pillar to a vehicle upper portion side of the second pillar substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuki Komoriya, Motoya Sakabe, Koki Ikeda, Yasuhide Matsuo
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Patent number: 10457332Abstract: The invention relates to a structure of a front part of the bodyshell of a vehicle, notably a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the structure of the front part comprises reinforcing means secured to the A-pillar (5) and to the corresponding ends of the bodywork elements (1) so as to strengthen the connections between the A-pillar (5) and the bodywork elements (1) so as to prevent these connections from breaking in the event of a frontal impact of the vehicle. The invention applies to the automotive industry.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: PSA Automobiles SAInventors: Marc Peru, Mathieu Penloup
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Patent number: 10457333Abstract: A right-hand drive conversion for a medium duty truck. The conversion process includes removal of dash assembly components and a sub-dash from the cab of a medium duty truck, such as a Freightliner M2. The conversion dash assembly includes a unitary dash and a plurality of brackets. The brackets are mounted to the left and right cab walls and the firewall.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: SportChassis, LLCInventors: Macolm Allen, James Burnam, Chris Brinkley, Nicholas Walenciak
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Patent number: 10457334Abstract: The instrument panel reinforcement pipe extends in a width direction of a vehicle, and is formed in a circular tubular shape to support a steering column placed in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle. The cowl-to brace extends in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle, has a front end fixed on a cowl panel placed in a farther front side of the vehicle than the instrument panel reinforcement pipe, and includes a joint portion to be joined with the instrument panel reinforcement pipe, between the front end and a rear end. The floor brace extends in an up-and-down direction of the vehicle, and has a lower end fixed on a floor tunnel and an upper end fixed to the rear end of the cowl-to brace. The joint portion of the cowl-to brace is formed in a ring shape to be fitted and inserted into the instrument panel reinforcement pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kouta Kajikawa
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Patent number: 10457335Abstract: A mud guard portion is placed on a vehicle rear side relative to a rear tire. This makes it possible to restrain mud or the like splashed by the rear tire from hitting an underfloor. Further, an inside flow regulating portion is provided adjacently to an inner side of the mud guard portion in the vehicle width direction, and the inside flow regulating portion extends from its upper end toward a vehicle lower side and toward the vehicle rear side. Hereby, when a travel wind flowing on an inner side of the rear tire in the vehicle width direction in the wheel house hits the inside flow regulating portion, the travel wind flows toward the vehicle rear side along a deflection wall portion of the inside flow regulating portion. Accordingly, turbulence of the air on a vehicle rear side of the rear tire due to the travel wind is restrained.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumihiko Kishima
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Patent number: 10457336Abstract: A flooring apparatus and method of making the same are provided. The apparatus and method, in one embodiment, may include providing an elongated member having a top surface. A first adhesive is deposited about a perimeter of the top surface of the elongated member. A second adhesive is deposited within the perimeter of the top surface of the elongated member, with the second adhesive having a lower viscosity than the first adhesive and being retained within the perimeter by the first adhesive. A friction-increasing member is then heated to a pre-heat temperature. The friction-increasing member is disposed on the first and second adhesive to form the flooring apparatus. The flooring apparatus is then cured at a curing temperature, in one embodiment, that is greater than the pre-heat temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventor: Kyle R. Gillin
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Patent number: 10457337Abstract: A vehicle bed extender adapted for simultaneous adjustment of both length and width. The extender includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a connecting wall. The first and second side walls can attach to the vehicle storage bed, while the connecting wall attaches to the side walls in a sliding configuration along a direction nonparallel to the length and width of the bed extender. The connecting wall can also be composed of multiple cross members with middle portions of varying length such that the middle portions of the cross members are not vertically oriented. The vehicle bed extender can also be supported by a mount at the front end of the vehicle bed that supports the connecting wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Smith
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Patent number: 10457338Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reduction system includes a side panel configured to be coupled to a rear swing door to extend generally vertically at least partially along a height of a trailer and a top panel configured to be coupled to the rear swing door to extend generally horizontally at least partially along a width of the trailer. The drag system includes a cable system configured to connect the side and top panels to prevent upward movement of the top panel beyond its generally horizontal position. The cable system includes a first cable with a first end coupled to an inner surface of the side panel, and a second cable and a third cable each with a first end coupled to a bottom surface of the top panel. A second end of each of the first cable, the second cable, and the third cable is coupled together at a juncture.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Leonard W. Baker, Michael J. Courtney, James Andrew Sweet, Brian N. Haan
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Patent number: 10457339Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an active wing apparatus for a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising a wing assembly configured to reversibly deploy in a first direction from a stowed condition to a deployed condition and reversibly expand telescopically along a second direction transverse to the first direction from a compact condition to an expanded condition, wherein the wing assembly is configured to expand telescopically when the wing apparatus deploys from the stowed condition to the deployed condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Jag Virdie, Ian Bossons
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Patent number: 10457340Abstract: An adjustable body skirting assembly and a vehicle that includes the assembly. The assembly includes a support structure and a skirt member. The support structure includes a side surface and a bottom surface, and the skirt member is supported by the support structure. The skirt member is movable between a deployed position in which the skirt member is disposed transverse to the bottom surface of the support structure such that the skirt member and the side surface cooperate with each other to define a wall configured to redirect an airflow away from the bottom surface, and a retracted position in which the skirt member retracts relative to the side surface such that the wall is removed which allows the airflow to interact with the bottom surface. The assembly includes an actuator coupled to the skirt member and configured to move the skirt member to the deployed and retracted positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Caleb Potvin, Timothy D. Demetrio
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Patent number: 10457341Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle body having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end is configured to face oncoming airflow. An underbody extending between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and the underbody including a first lateral edge, an opposing second lateral edge and a central region defined therebetween. At least one aerodynamic member on the underbody, the at least one aerodynamic member having at least one aerodynamic surface wherein the at least one aerodynamic surface includes at least one curved triangular channel configured to cause airflow to separate over a trip edge of the at least one curved triangular channel to create a low pressure vortex region within the curved triangular channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Daniel L. Riggs, David C. Caples
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Patent number: 10457342Abstract: Provided is a traveling apparatus including at least, with respect to a traveling direction, a front wheel and a rear wheel and on which a user rides when travelling. The traveling apparatus includes a front wheel supporting member configured to rotatably support the front wheel, a rear wheel supporting member configured to rotatably support the rear wheel, an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a wheel base length between the front wheel and the rear wheel by changing a relative position of the front wheel supporting member and the rear wheel supporting member, and a driving unit configured to drive at least one of the front wheel and rear wheel. The wheel base length adjusted by the adjusting mechanism is associated with a speed of the traveling apparatus achieved by driving the driving unit in such a way that the longer the wheel base length, the greater the speed becomes.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi Kama, Makoto Kakuchi, Makoto Mori
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Patent number: 10457343Abstract: A track chain assembly includes a track pin, a first link, and a second link. The first link defines a first pair of pin passages in spaced relationship to each other by a first link pitch. The first link is mounted to the track pin such that the track pin extends through one of the first pair of pin passages. The second link defines a second pair of pin passages in spaced relationship to each other by a second link pitch. The second link is mounted to the track pin such that the track pin extends through one of the second pair of pin passages and such that the first link and the second link are rotatable with respect to each other about a longitudinal axis defined by the track pin. The second link pitch is greater than the first link pitch in a range up to twice the first link pitch.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Donovan S. Clarke, Kevin D. Eccles
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Patent number: 10457344Abstract: A method is disclosed for verifying the alignment of a door with a door opening defined by a vehicle body sub-assembly. Sets of two-way sensors and a four-way sensors are used to locate feature, or hole, locations including a master hole location on the body/side. Other two-way sensors and four-way sensors are used to locate door hanging fixture pin locations on the doors before the doors are assembled to the body/side. After the doors are assembled to the body/side, two-way sensors and four-way sensors locate feature, or hole, locations on the installed doors and compare them to the previously measured master location.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Hossein Jacob Sadri, Stephen Juszczyk
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Patent number: 10457345Abstract: A method for manufacturing an automotive mirror, in particular a side mirror, includes forming a printed circuit board as flexible printed circuit board with n+1 branches, n?N, providing n modules each including at least one electronic element housed within a plastic casting and connected to conducting paths on at least one of the surfaces of the plastic casting, and at least one standard gripping point, guiding structure, snap connection element and/or sealing member provided by the plastic casting, connecting up to n of said branches to one module each and connecting one branch to cables or a cable harness to be connected to a power supply and/or a control unit outside the mirror, providing mirror parts free of electronic elements, and assembling the mirror parts and the modules.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.Inventors: Andreas Herrmann, Johannes Woessner, Ludwig Neumann, Heiko Boehland, Muthu Kumaran
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Patent number: 10457346Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a front wheel that is disposed anterior to the vehicle body and that is steerable about a steering axis, and a front fork that supports the front wheel. The vehicle body includes a vehicle body frame and a steering rotation unit that is supported on the vehicle body frame and that rotates about the steering axis. The vehicle includes a variable trail length mechanism. The variable trail length mechanism includes an oscillation shaft that extends in a vehicle width direction to thereby connect the front fork oscillatably with the steering rotation unit. The oscillation shaft is disposed at a position overlapping an axis of the front fork in a vehicle side elevational view.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Makoto Araki, Takashi Kudo, Toru Takenaka
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Patent number: 10457347Abstract: An embedded handle and handle structure of the embedded handle for a bicycle are provided. The handle structure includes the embedded handle and a stem. The embedded handle includes two holding portions and a joining portion. The middle of the joining portion has a depression. The depression has a connecting portion, and the stem has an engaging portion. The handlebar further includes a handle mounting hole. And the engaging portion of the stem further includes a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole. When the engaging portion engages with the depression, the first mounting hole, the second mounting hole and the handle mounting hole are aligned. The first fastener is inserted into the aligned holes, and the second fastener is inserted into the aligned holes along a direction opposite to the first fastener and joined to the first fastener.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Douglas Chiang, Ron Correa
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Patent number: 10457348Abstract: The vehicle includes a frame member to be suspended relative to the ground. The suspension of the invention includes an arm (such as a swingarm), a slide link, and a control link. The arm having a first end and a second end; it extends between the frame generally at the first end and the ground-engaging member generally at the second end. The slide link is coupled between the frame and the arm. The slide link is rotationally fixed to the arm to rotationally move therewith. It is pivotally secured to the frame. The control link is also coupled to the frame and to the arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventor: Darrell W. Voss
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Patent number: 10457349Abstract: A vehicle component that can include a suspension system for bicycles, electric bicycles, or electric scooters. The vehicle component can include a sliding four-bar system with a link pivotally connecting a swing arm to the front triangle and a sliding link slidably connecting the swing arm to a front triangle bottom portion. The resulting suspension system can be optimized to balance forces of generate a balance of forces between of drive and driven loads against the mass of the rider and inertia while still free for the rear wheel to trace the ground.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventor: Darrell W. Voss
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Patent number: 10457350Abstract: A bicycle control system is basically provided with a power supply, a first bicycle electric component and a controller. The first bicycle electric component is electrically connected to the power supply to receive electrical power from the power supply. The controller is programmed to monitor an electrical communication of the first bicycle electric component. The controller is further programmed to stop electrical power from the power supply to the first bicycle electric component upon determining no electrical communication to or from the first bicycle electric component for a first predetermined inactivity period.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kasai
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Patent number: 10457351Abstract: A drive system for a pedal-operable vehicle, including a drive motor, pedals on pedal arms, a bottom bracket spindle on which the pedal arms are mounted, and a drive mechanism for transferring drive energy. A clearance is present in a transfer path between a pedal arm and a drive wheel, rotating with the bottom bracket spindle, of the drive mechanism. The system includes a return device with which the clearance-affected parts are transferable, at or below an idle pedal force within their clearance with respect to one another, into an idle position in which the clearance-affected parts assume a predefined relative position; the clearance-affected parts being removable, within the clearance, from the idle position by way of pedal force above the idle pedal force against the action of the return device; and information as to whether the clearance-affected parts are in an idle position being furnishable as electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GMBHInventors: Peter Kimmich, Wolfram Schock
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Patent number: 10457352Abstract: A bicycle frame is disclosed, having at least one frame portion which is configured for the removable mounting of at least one separate energy storage device, in particular a battery pack. According to the invention, the frame portion configured for the removable mounting of the energy storage device has an asymmetric cross section with respect to a frame center plane. An electric bicycle according to the invention has a frame portion which is configured for the removable mounting of at least one separate energy storage device, the frame portion having an asymmetric cross section with respect to a frame center plane. Furthermore, an energy storage device is disclosed, having an asymmetric cross section with respect to an energy storage device center plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: BIKETEC AGInventors: Ivica Durdevic, Lukas Beat Studer, Philipp Walter Suter, Timo Woelk, Omar Afzal
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Patent number: 10457353Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly is basically provided that includes a first sprocket including a first sprocket body and a plurality of first sprocket teeth provided to an outer periphery thereof. Each of a plurality of first circumferential areas has a first circumferential length. A first total number of the plurality of first circumferential areas is an even number. A first circumferential area counting number from a driving surface of a first shifting initiation tooth to a driving surface of a second shifting initiation tooth in a driving rotational direction of the bicycle rear sprocket assembly is an odd number. A second circumferential area counting number from the driving surface of the second shifting initiation tooth to the driving surface of the first shifting initiation tooth in the driving rotational direction is an odd number. The first circumferential area counting number is different from the second circumferential area counting number.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kenji Kamada, Azusa Yamazaki
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Patent number: 10457354Abstract: This relates to vessels in general, but in particular to displacement vessels designed to be exposed from low to medium to high waves. Both for comfort of persons, animals or fragile goods, steady sailing is preferred, without causing the waves slamming in on the vessel hull or excessive pitching of the vessel. This is also the case for service and supply vessels performing operations in relation to offshore or subsea installations. To obtain a solution to the aforementioned issues the present invention provides a vessel, wherein a stern of the vessel extend below a design waterline (Tdwl), and wherein opposite side surfaces of the stern, when seen in an opposite direction of the vessels primary sailing direction, form an acute angle under and above the design waterline (Tdwl) to decrease the vessels displacement in the rear end and are adjoined along at a line of symmetry forming a stern centerline.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Ulstein Design & Solutions ASInventor: Øyving Gjerde Kamsvåg
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Patent number: 10457355Abstract: A motile buoyancy apparatus for use in a fluid. The motile buoyancy apparatus includes an outer layer, the outer layer having a performance surface. The motile buoyancy apparatus includes at least a portion including a first material. The first material is a non-Newtonian material. The at least a portion causes the performance surface to exhibit a shear rate-variable shear response.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Renoun, LLCInventors: Cyrus King Schenck, Lane Warren Kessler
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Patent number: 10457356Abstract: A method for handling a cable that is faired by means of a fairing, the cable towed by a ship on board which there is a winch allowing the faired cable to be wound in and paid out through a faired-cable guide device, the method comprises: a first step of monitoring the cable, making it possible to detect whether the fairing is experiencing a double twist around the cable comprising an immersed full twist and an airborne full twist, and, when a double twist is detected, a first step of hauling in the faired cable, during which step the faired cable is hauled in, the first hauling step being carried out in such a way that the immersed full twist at least partially leaves the water and does not enter the guide device.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: THALESInventors: François Warnan, Dominique Durand, Jean-Philippe Longuet, Marc Lazzarini, Stéphane Autret, Jean-Jacques Lossec, Philippe Prost
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Patent number: 10457357Abstract: A method for assembly of a riser string onboard a vessel for performing subsea wellbore related operations involving said riser string, the riser string extending between a subsea wellbore and the vessel in a wellbore related operation, wherein the vessel includes a hull, a riser storage storing therein, in horizontal orientation, multiple pre-assembled riser stands and/or multiple individual riser stand, a deck structure having an elongated transfer opening above said riser storage, a transfer elevator, wherein multiple pre-assembled riser stands, each being pre-assembled from multiple riser sections connected end-to-end and each having a length of at least 150 ft. (45.72 m), and/or multiple individual riser sections each having a length of at least 150 ft. (45.72 m), are stored, in said horizontal orientation, in the riser storage.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: ITREC B.V.Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
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Patent number: 10457358Abstract: When a marine engine is on, automatic daytime running lights shall be illuminated. For example, white lights situated in the bow area of the boat would increase visibility of a boat to others, for safety purposes. The same lights or lights generally in the same area, at dusk and/or at night shall manually or automatically transition to red/green navigation lights.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Peter Granata Design, LLCInventor: Peter Granata
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Patent number: 10457359Abstract: An outdrive engine enclosure having at least one sidewall forming a closed end and an open mouth opposite the closed end is disclosed. The enclosure includes a transom ligature constrictably coupled circumferentially about the at least one sidewall proximate the open mouth, and also includes at least one neck ligature constrictably coupled circumferentially about the at least one sidewall, between the open mouth and the closed end. The outdrive engine enclosure further includes a deployed configuration, where the at least one sidewall proximate the open mouth is constricted by the transom ligature around one of a transom mounting rim and a gimbal housing to form a transom seal that is substantially watertight. The deployed configuration also includes the at least one sidewall being constricted by the at least one neck ligature against the outdrive engine proximate a neck, thereby reducing the volume contained inside the enclosure in the deployed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventors: Darrell Epps, Scott Epps
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Patent number: 10457360Abstract: A method that uses a tool specifically designed for removing weeds, milfoil, invasive species, or any other foreign matter from boat, pontoon, personal water craft trailers, dock, boat lift and the like. The tool incorporated within this method of removing weeds and the like from watercraft trailers is able to cut weeds in half or scrape weeds that are hanging on trailer beams allowing them to fall to the ground. It can hook or grab weeds pulling them off trailer beams. The tool can slide on trailer beams capturing weeds in the tool head, which can then be removed when the tool head is taken off the trailer beam. A rotating handle is incorporated allowing ease of use from many different angles.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventors: Michaela Anderson, Justin Kofoed
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Patent number: 10457361Abstract: A life raft includes a base and an inflatable canopy. The base has a first side and a second side and the inflatable canopy is coupled to the first side of the base and configured to inflate and extend across the first side of the base to form a first chamber defined between the first side of the base and the inflatable canopy. The inflatable canopy is configured to inflate in response to deploying the life raft. Inflation of the inflatable canopy enables the life raft to self-right. In various embodiments, the base includes an inflatable border tube defining a first inflatable volume. The inflatable canopy may define a second inflatable volume and the first inflatable volume may be in fluidic communication with the second inflatable volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy C. Haynes, Michael A. Luzader
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Patent number: 10457362Abstract: A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Kelsyus, LLCInventor: David A. Arias
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Patent number: 10457363Abstract: The illuminated lifesaving jacket is a personal floatation device compromising LED lighting, a cell phone pocket, a control unit, locator module, and a jacket battery pack. The LED lighting may increase the visibility of the jacket and may be activated by the control unit based upon input from a manual switch, a water-activated switch, or an application program running on a personal communication device such as a smart phone. The personal communication device may be held in the waterproof cell phone pocket and may wirelessly link to the control unit. The control unit may acquire location information from the locator module and may transmit messages that include location information to authorities in an effort to seek help. The jacket battery pack may provide electrical energy for the control unit, locator module, and personal communication device. A wristband may provide additional LED lighting to enhance visibility.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventor: Rodney A. Olds
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Patent number: 10457364Abstract: Mask-type goggles used for swimming and diving includes a soft rubber mask, a lens, a transparent frame, a decorative strip, and a lens fixing frame. A decorative strip is embedded in the inner side of a transparent frame so that the color of the decorative strip can be displayed through a frame, and the transmission of light of the frame makes the goggles as a whole colorful to improve the aesthetics of the goggles. Besides, the decorative strip is fixedly embedded in the frame, which can effectively prevent the decorative strip from falling off, such that the goggle structure is more stable and durable.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: DONGGUAN LONGWELL SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventor: Chin Hsien Wung
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Patent number: 10457365Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for underwater use. In one example the system includes an autonomous mother unmanned underwater vehicle (AMUV) and one or more auxiliary unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). The AMUV is configured for autonomously searching for and detecting undersea objects potentially present in an undersea region of interest (ROI), for generating object information relating to the objects detected thereby to enable identification of at least one object of interest (OOI) among the detected objects, and for selectively transporting the UUV to at least within a predetermined distance from a location of the OOI. The UUV is configured for interacting with the OOI at least within the predetermined distance. Such a system is further configured for providing verification information indicative of the interaction between the UUV and the OOI. The AMUV includes a communications system at least configured for transmitting at one or both of the verification information and the object information.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Elta Systems Ltd.Inventors: Amit Farber, Ehud Erell
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Patent number: 10457366Abstract: In the field of bodies towed behind a ship, commonly called fish, a fish comprises a supporting structure configured to move in water in a horizontal main direction, at least one appendage configured to generate a hydrodynamic lift directed downwards when the fish moves in the water under the towing effect, and a lock for reducing the hydrodynamic lift of the appendage.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: THALESInventors: François Warnan, Michaël Jourdan, Philippe Vicariot, Jean Lagadec
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Patent number: 10457367Abstract: 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 two intersecting channels disposed therein. Each channel has a bend that and fluidly connects an inlet to an outlet. The reverse flow enters the respective inlet in a downward and backward direction with respect to main body. The respective inlet and channel of main body bend the reverse flow such that, when the reverse flow exits the outlet, the reverse flow is primarily lateral.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventors: Miller W. Owen, III, Thomas W. Watts
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Patent number: 10457368Abstract: Implementations of paddles may include at least one paddle blade coupled to a shaft, a sleeve coupled over the shaft, the sleeve including a helical opening, a locator pin coupled to the shaft and extending through the helical opening, and a first handle fixedly coupled to the sleeve. The paddle blade may be configured to rotate from a first position corresponding to the locator pin positioned at a first location in the helical opening to a second position corresponding to the locator pin positioned at a second location in the helical opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventor: Dale Jared Retter
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Patent number: 10457369Abstract: The foot pedal-powered impeller system comprises a foot crank coupled to an impeller drive via a vertical drive shaft. The foot crank, mounted on the top surface of a water craft, may comprise two pedals that couple to a central spindle via crank arms. The spindle may pass through a right angle gear box which translates rotational motion of the spindle into rotational motion of the drive shaft. The drive shaft may turn a shaft gear on the underside of the water craft which engages an impeller tube gear and turns an impeller tube. An impeller mounted within the impeller tube may force water to enter the front of the impeller drive via an intake nozzle, pass through the impeller tube, and exit through a discharge nozzle. The discharge of water may move the water craft.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventor: Shane McLaughlin
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Patent number: 10457370Abstract: A steering system on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel movable by a vessel operator to steer the marine vessel and a variable resistance device controllable to apply a variable resistance amount to resist movement of the steering wheel. The system includes a control unit that controls the variable resistance device to determine a baseline resistance amount based on vessel speed and/or engine RPM and detect at least a threshold change in angular position of the marine vessel. The control unit then controls the variable resistance device to prevent a decrease in the resistance amount below the baseline resistance amount or to increase the resistance amount above the baseline resistance amount.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Brian J. Poirier, Scott M. Westpfahl
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Patent number: 10457371Abstract: For a vessel steering apparatus for performing a movement control to move a vessel to a target position on the basis of a signal of a GPS apparatus, a movement control stop area, a buffer area adjacent to the movement control stop area, and a movement-controlling area adjacent to the buffer area are set on the basis of the distance from the target position, wherein in the movement control stop area, thrust generation by a propulsion apparatus is stopped; in the movement-controlling area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus; and in the buffer area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus of the vessel for movement control only in the case where the vessel moves from the movement-controlling area to the buffer area, then stays in the buffer area, and moves in a direction away from the target position.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.Inventors: Naohiro Hara, Hiroaki Wakahara, Jun Watanabe, Gakuji Tamura
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Patent number: 10457372Abstract: A propulsion device for a ship capable of preventing idling of a propeller without any limitation on the type of clutch. The propulsion device includes: a forward and reverse switching clutch for transmitting the driving power from an input shaft to a forward gear or a reverse gear; a forward one-way clutch, disposed between the input shaft and the forward gear, for connecting the forward gear and the input shaft when the forward gear is rotated at a higher speed than that of the input shaft; and a reverse one-way clutch, disposed between the input shaft and the reverse gear, for connecting the reverse gear and the input shaft when the reverse gear is rotated at a higher speed than that of the input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuji Hashimoto
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Patent number: 10457373Abstract: An aircraft with a composite tail boom that comprises at least partly a tubular tail boom cone with an outer skin and an inner skin, wherein the inner skin delimits a hollow interior of the composite tail boom, wherein a plurality of rod-shaped stiffening elements and a plurality of ring-shaped stiffening elements are arranged between the outer skin and the inner skin, the plurality of rod-shaped stiffening elements being oriented in longitudinal direction of the composite tail boom and the plurality of ring-shaped stiffening elements being distributed along the longitudinal direction in the tubular tail boom cone.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: Axel Fink
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Patent number: 10457374Abstract: An aircraft cabin arrangement is disclosed which extends in a rectilinear manner along a cabin axis, having a ceiling trim arrangement which delimits the cabin interior upwardly from the cabin axis, wherein the ceiling trim arrangement has a first, a second and a third row of ceiling trim elements, wherein the rows are arranged one immediately after another in the direction of extent of the cabin axis, wherein the rows have a central ceiling trim element and lateral ceiling trim elements, wherein the lateral ceiling trim elements of a row immediately adjoin the central ceiling trim element of the row in a laterally adjacent manner on both sides, perpendicularly to the cabin axis, wherein the lateral ceiling trim elements of the second row have one or more lighting sources, wherein the axial lengths of the ceiling trim elements of the first and the third row are different.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Benedikt Kircher, Paul Edwards, Stephan Sontag
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Patent number: 10457375Abstract: An aircraft interior fitting component system comprising an aircraft interior fitting component, a support element attached to the aircraft interior fitting component, and an aircraft primary structure component. The support element is dimensioned in such a way and is attached to the aircraft interior fitting component in such a position that, in an assembled state of the aircraft interior fitting component in an aircraft, it is supported on the aircraft primary structure component at least when a predetermined load acts on the aircraft interior fitting component along the x-axis of the aircraft in flight direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Ingo Roth