Patents Issued in December 19, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190382051
    Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure includes a battery unit that is disposed below a floor panel, a sliding door that is provided to a side section of a vehicle body, and a lower hinge that is attached to a lower portion of the sliding door, that supports the sliding door with respect to the vehicle body such that the sliding door is capable of sliding in a vehicle front-rear direction, and that is disposed further toward a vehicle upper side than the battery unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Masaru Toyota
  • Publication number: 20190382052
    Abstract: A lower vehicle-body structure of the present invention comprises a vehicle floor, a first floor cross member extending in a vehicle width direction, a second floor cross member extending in the vehicle width direction, the second floor cross member being spaced, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, apart from the first floor cross member, a side sill extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and provided at an end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle floor, a floor frame extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and provided on an inward side, in the vehicle width direction, of the side sill, and attaching members for attaching a seat to a vehicle body. The attaching members are fixed to the side sill, the first floor cross member, and/or the second floor cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka NATSUME, Kazuhiro KAGEYAMA, Keisuke EBISUMOTO, Hidenori MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20190382053
    Abstract: A lower vehicle-body structure comprises a vehicle floor comprising a bottom face portion and a floor tunnel, a pair of right-and-left first floor cross members extending in a vehicle width direction and provided on both sides of the floor tunnel, a pair of right-and-left second floor cross members extending in the vehicle width direction and provided on both sides of the floor tunnel, the second floor cross members being spaced rearwardly from the first floor cross members, a first connecting member provided to extend in the vehicle width direction at a position overlapping the first floor cross members in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a second connecting member provided to extend in the vehicle width direction at a position overlapping the second floor cross members in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka NATSUME, Kazuhiro KAGEYAMA, Keisuke EBISUMOTO, Hidenori MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20190382054
    Abstract: A lower vehicle-body structure comprises a vehicle floor comprising a bottom face portion and a floor tunnel which protrudes upwardly and extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a pair of right-and-left floor cross members extending in a vehicle width direction on both sides of the floor tunnel, and a connecting member provided to extend in the vehicle width direction at a position which overlaps the floor cross members in the vehicle longitudinal direction and be fixed to at least one of the vehicle floor and the floor cross members at plural fixation positions. These plural fixation positions are located at plural different levels in a range of a height of the floor cross members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka NATSUME, Kazuhiro KAGEYAMA, Hiroaki SUUMEN, Yuki KUWANO, Tsuyoshi IWATA, Keisuke EBISUMOTO, Hidenori MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20190382055
    Abstract: A hole plug includes: a tubular outer periphery wall portion for insertion into a burring hole formed in an attachment member; an annular flange portion that protrudes toward a radial direction outer side of the outer periphery wall portion, from an end portion side of the outer periphery wall portion at an opposite side from an insertion direction side of the outer periphery wall portion; a pawl portion that projects toward the radial direction outer side from the outer periphery wall portion; a closure portion that extends between inner sides of the outer periphery wall portion; and an abutting portion provided at at least one of the flange portion or the outer periphery wall portion, the abutting portion overlapping with a periphery edge portion of the burring hole as seen in the insertion direction, and the abutting portion configured to abut the periphery edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Takahiro SATO
  • Publication number: 20190382056
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement comprising a rigid polymeric structure having a longitudinal axis and including a lower portion and an upper portion each of the lower and upper portions including a top surface and bottom surface, an expandable adhesive material located onto a portion of each of the top and bottom surface of each of the upper and lower portions, wherein the rigid polymeric stricture includes a plurality of ribs and the top edge of one or more of the ribs is co-planar with the expandable adhesive material prior to activation of the expandable adhesive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Shantz
  • Publication number: 20190382057
    Abstract: A vehicle side section structure includes a pair of front pillars that are respectively provided at both vehicle width direction sides of a vehicle front section so as to extend along a vehicle vertical direction, and a reinforcing member formed of wood and is provided inside a cross-section of at least one of the pair of front pillars, an axial center direction of tree rings of the reinforcing member being oriented in a direction running along a length direction of the at least one front pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Junichi Takayanagi, Toshihisa Miura
  • Publication number: 20190382058
    Abstract: An aerodynamic curtain assembly for use with a tank trailer illustratively includes a front nose assembly, and opposing first and second side assemblies. The front nose assembly illustratively includes a front support coupled to the tank trailer, and a flexible air deflector screen coupled to the support and extending arcuately from a first upright supported by a first side of the tank trailer to a second upright supported by a second side of the tank trailer. Each of the side assemblies illustratively includes an upper support member, a lower support member, an upper coupler securing the upper end of a flexible air deflector screen to the upper support member, and a lower coupler securing the lower end of the flexible air deflector screen to the lower support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Tank Trailer Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scot McQuilkin, David Moore, Mark R. Holden
  • Publication number: 20190382059
    Abstract: An aerodynamic system for a truck (12) is provided that has a faring (14) carried by the truck with an outer surface (24) that is an air flow surface across which air flows when the truck is moving forward. The faring has a tailing end with a first kick out (22) that has a first kick out exit surface (24) oriented at a first angle with respect to the air flow surface. The tailing end has a second kick out (28) with a second kick out exit surface (30) oriented at a second angle with respect to the air flow surface. The first angle is different than the second angle. The truck has a longitudinal axis, a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction. The air flow surface is located forward from the tailing end in the longitudinal direction, and the first kick out is located higher than the second kick out in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: CALVIN RHETT BRADLEY
  • Publication number: 20190382060
    Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined ratio of the links to each other for motion of the deflector panel. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Povinelli, Martin R. Matthews, Jeffrey B. Manhire
  • Publication number: 20190382061
    Abstract: A flow-guiding arrangement for a motor vehicle includes: a wing arrangement, which is arranged in a rear-end region of the motor vehicle and has a wing element, and an underflow duct with a duct inlet and a duct outlet. The duct inlet is arranged upstream of the wing element and the duct outlet is arranged below the wing arrangement. The underflow duct is fluidically assigned a throttle device, which is configured to be actuated by a motor and via which an effective flow cross section of the underflow duct is to be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Riccardo Bauer, Tobias Posch
  • Publication number: 20190382062
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a body; an air-guide, fastenable to the body; a drive to adjust the air-guide when the air-guide is fastened to the body; and connectors that connect the drive to the body. The connectors include first fastening elements and second fastening elements. The first fastening elements are insertable through cutouts in the body into the second fastening elements via a first position up to a second position. An orientation of the drive relative to the body is possible in the first position, and the second fastening elements exert a clamping force on the first fastening elements in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Felix Hermann
  • Publication number: 20190382063
    Abstract: An active aero panel assembly including at least one deployable panel, at least one drive mechanism, and at least one actuator. The active aero panel assembly improves aerodynamics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McAfee, Martin R. Matthews, Braendon R. Lindberg
  • Publication number: 20190382064
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a rope shovel comprising a crawler frame having a crawler body, a first leg and a second leg, the first leg having a first lateral crawler frame bore therethrough and the second leg having a second lateral crawler frame bore therethrough; a roller component disposed at least partially below the crawler body between the first leg and the second leg, the roller component having a lateral roller component bore therethrough; a first crawler frame bushing having a first flanged end, the first crawler frame bushing disposed in and through the first lateral crawler frame bore; a roller component bushing having a first flanged end, the roller component bushing being disposed in and through the lateral roller component bore; wherein the first flanged end of the first crawler frame bushing abuts the first flanged end of the roller component bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron Lee Henry, Ryan William Henry, Dave Eagan
  • Publication number: 20190382065
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-balancing scooter, including a scooter body, wheels, a driving motor, a power supply, a circuit board, a controller and a light emitting lamp. The controller is electrically connected to the circuit board, the power supply and the driving motor. The scooter body includes: an upper shell, pedals, a middle shell, a lower shell and a lampshade. The middle shell is located between the upper shell and the lower shell. The lampshade is provided with at least two spaced lamp strips for transmitting light. The upper shell is provided with lamp holes for placing one or at least two lamp strips. The lower shell is provided with lamp holes for placing one or at least two lamp strips. The sum of the lamp holes of the upper shell and the lamp holes of the lower shell is identical with the quantity of the lamp strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Yanyan SHANG
  • Publication number: 20190382066
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes an outer casing for disposing the conveying apparatus on a traveling structure, a storage case that is disposed inside the outer casing and that allows a stored article to be placed therein and removed therefrom from above, a plurality of stretchable elastic members that are spaced apart from each other in a crosswise direction and each of which includes a bridging portion that bridges between front and rear ends of the outer casing in a traveling direction of the traveling structure, and a plurality of suspension devices that are spaced apart from each other at least in a fore-aft direction and each of which includes an upper end assuming a supported portion that is supported slidably on the elastic member and a lower end assuming a supporting portion that supports the storage case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Rakuten Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20190382067
    Abstract: A bicycle frame including frame struts, an electric motor, one compartment for a power supply unit and multiple supply cables for a front light and a rear light which are fastened by a multiple-part adapter arrangement with a bicycle-side adapter part and a lighting device-side adapter part. The invention offers a new lighting concept for bikes with detachable front and rear lights by use of two adapter parts being each provided with one closure part of a multiple-part closure device, which closure parts are attachable and mechanically latchable together by means of a closing motion, wherein the closure parts each include at least one magnet element or magnet counter-element interacting in a magnetically attractive manner, when the first closure part is placed onto the second closure part, and wherein each adapter part includes non-contact or contacting coupling elements for energy transmission, which are electrically coupled in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Sören Mühle, Alexander De Ponte
  • Publication number: 20190382068
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes two front wheels, a left front wheel supporting member and a right front wheel supporting member which are turned around a left front wheel turning axis and a right front wheel turning axis respectively, and an upper lean arm and a lower lean arm which are rotated around an axis perpendicular to a vehicle width direction. The upper arm is connected to the left and right members via first and second connecting parts. The lower arm is connected to the left and right members via third and fourth connecting parts. The first and third parts are provided in the left front wheel turning axis. The second and fourth parts are provided in the right front wheel turning axis. A distance between the first and second parts is equal to the distance between the third and fourth parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Kazuya NAGASAKA, Takenori Terada, Hiroshi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20190382069
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes two front wheels, a left front wheel supporting member and a right front wheel supporting member which are turned around a left front wheel turning axis and a right front wheel turning axis respectively, an upper lean arm and a lower lean arm which are rotated around an axis perpendicular to a vehicle width direction, and a steering rod. The upper arm is connected to the left and right members via first and second connecting parts which are provided on the left front wheel turning axis. The lower arm is connected to the left and right members via third and fourth connecting parts which are provided on the right front wheel turning axis. The steering rod is arranged forward of the steering spindle. In a front view of the vehicle body, the steering rod is arranged between the upper and lower arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Kazuya NAGASAKA, Takenori TERADA, Hiroshi ISHII
  • Publication number: 20190382070
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a forecarriage of a rolling motor vehicle with three or four wheels, comprising: a forecarriage frame (16); at least one pair of front wheels (10?), (10?) kinematically connected to each other and to the forecarriage frame by a kinematic roll mechanism (20) which enables the same to roll in a synchronous and specular manner; an anti-roll system (100) comprising a rod (110) having a first (111) and a second end (112) opposite each other which connect by means of hinging means (101?, 101?; 102?, 102?) a first (60) and a second anchoring portion (60) of forecarriage 8 directly to each other. At least one of said first and second anchoring portions is subject to roll movements of said two front wheels. The hinging means are configured to passively follow the movements of the two anchoring portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Andrea RAFFAELLI
  • Publication number: 20190382071
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a bicycle configured to easily and efficiently adapt for riders of different sizes while providing both balance bike and pedal bike functionality. An exemplary bicycle is a children's bicycle designed and developed to grow with a child. An exemplary bicycle is configured to enable utility adjustments to a front assembly, among other components, which creates a setup that comfortably accommodates either smaller riders or larger-sized riders. The bicycle is adjustable with minimal effort and without tools, enabling re-configuration on the fly. Further disclosed is an exemplary training wheel device that is attachable to an exemplary bicycle. An exemplary training wheel device extends functionality of the bicycle and assist with training a young child to ride the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Krzysztof Jablonski
  • Publication number: 20190382072
    Abstract: A personal transport vehicle is provided capable of staying upright without the need for a stand by incorporating tires having an advantageous design combined with an overall lowered center of gravity. The personal transport vehicle further incorporates a hub and steering assembly configured within the front wheel of the vehicle, as well as a bake and propulsion means configured within the rear wheel of the vehicle. Finally, the personal transport vehicle is capable of being folded into a compact configuration, lending itself to ease of shipment, storage and transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Nathan Howard ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20190382073
    Abstract: A motorcycle metal handle bar assembly for receiving a length of an internally routed wire harness assembly. The motorcycle metal handle bar assembly includes a first pipe having a first open end defined by a first angled cut, wherein the first open end defines a first periphery; a second pipe having a second open end defined by a second angled cut, wherein the second open end defines a second periphery; a joint at an interface of the first open end and the second open end, wherein at least one of the first open end and the second open end is flared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Scott L. Hurwitz
  • Publication number: 20190382074
    Abstract: An integrated bicycle control device has a handlebar portion of a bicycle handlebar assembly. The handlebar portion has a body with a gripping portion adjacent a distal end of the body and a transition portion spaced from the gripping portion. A compartment may be formed in the transition portion and an opening in the body may permit access to the compartment. An actuator is disposed near the distal end of the gripping portion. A control element and/or other elements or circuitry may be disposed within the compartment. The control device may include integrated accessory attachment structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JOCHEN BIERWERTH, PAUL FEUERSTEIN, MING HSUN WU
  • Publication number: 20190382075
    Abstract: A suspension unit for a front fork of a vehicle includes an annular tube. The first tube defines a compression chamber and a damping chamber. A damper includes a first valve allowing gas to variably flow from the compression chamber to the damping chamber and a second valve allowing gas to flow from the damping chamber to the compression chamber. An external adjuster allows a rider to adjust the first valve to improve ride conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20190382076
    Abstract: An information output device that can output the position of a load applied to the pedal is provided. A strain gauge is provided on the inner face of a crank of a bicycle and detects strain occurring in the crank. A cycle computer display unit displays an image showing the center position of the load applied to the pedal connected to the crank based on the tangential force and the torsional torque calculated based on the output values of the first strain gauge to the sixth strain gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Nobuo MIOKA, Yasuteru Kodama
  • Publication number: 20190382077
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a pedal system having a cuff for retaining a foot or footwear at the pedal in a manner that supports different sizes and form factors of feet or footwear. The pedal system has a rod secured to a pedal in a rotatable manner and the cuff is coupled to the rod. A lever may be coupled to the rod in a manner where engagement of the lever by the user's foot or footwear affects the rod and thus, a position of the cuff relative to the user's foot or footwear. The lever and the cuff may retain the user's foot or footwear at the pedal in an engaged mode and release the user's foot or footwear from the top surface in a disengaged mode. The pedal system is switchable between the engaged mode and the disengaged mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory William Davis, Robert Edward Glaspie
  • Publication number: 20190382078
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a pedal system having a pedal coupled to a main drive shaft having a locked mode where the pedal does not rotate relative to the main drive shaft and a released mode where the pedal can rotate relative to the main drive shaft. In the locked mode, rotation of the pedal relative to the main drive shaft is prevented by a plunger that engages the main drive shaft. In the released mode, rotation of the pedal relative to the main drive shaft is enabled by having the plunger disengage from the main drive shaft. The pedal system is switchable between the locked and released modes. When a user's foot or footwear is engaging the pedal, the pedal is placed in the released mode, and when the user's foot or footwear is disengaged from the pedal, the pedal is placed in the locked mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory William Davis, Robert Edward Glaspie
  • Publication number: 20190382079
    Abstract: In an automatic return structure of a bicycle, a stopper block is mainly disposed on the other end of a crank different from a pedal, and a guide block is disposed on an inner surface of a middle portion of the crank. The stopper block may be formed with a groove on the other end of the crank. The guide block has an arced guide surface. Upon chain detachment, the stopper block blocks the chain, and then the pedal being pedaled makes the guide block lift up the chain to a location above the sprocket, so that the chain slides downward to teeth of the sprocket along the arced guide surface to perform automatic upshifting. The danger of chasing caused by the sudden slowdown or stop upon chain detachment can be avoided, the rider needs not to get off to perform manual upshifting, and riding convenience can be significantly enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Yu-Sheng Kao
  • Publication number: 20190382080
    Abstract: A transmission for a bicycle includes at least four shift elements, an input shaft (1), a first planetary gear set (PS1) which is operatively connected to the input shaft (1), a second planetary gear set (PS2) which is operatively connectable to the input shaft (1), and an output shaft (2). The input shaft (1) is rotationally fixed to a ring gear of the first planetary gear set (PS1), and the output shaft (2) is rotationally fixed to a carrier of the first planetary gear set (PS1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Valerie Engel, Uwe Griesmeier, Matthias Wesa, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Publication number: 20190382081
    Abstract: An integrated bicycle control device has a handlebar portion of a bicycle handlebar assembly. The handlebar portion has a body with a gripping portion adjacent a distal end of the body and a transition portion spaced from the gripping portion. A compartment may be formed in the transition portion and an opening in the body may permit access to the compartment. An actuator is disposed near the distal end of the gripping portion. A control element and/or other elements or circuitry may be disposed within the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JOCHEN BIERWERTH, PAUL FEUERSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20190382082
    Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Publication number: 20190382083
    Abstract: A device for rapidly remotely coupling together two vessels, in particular a first ship or floating support and a second ship, comprises: at least one floating and docking structure fastened to or suitable for being releasably fastened to the side and/or the keel of the hull of a second vessel; and at least two actuators spaced in succession from one another in the longitudinal direction of the first vessel. The actuator cylinder of each the actuator is arranged to be fastened to the side of the hull of the first vessel, using a first fastener and pivot hinge device. The end of the rod of each actuator is arranged to be fastened to or suitable for being fastened to the floating and docking structure via a second fastener and pivot hinge device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Christophe COLMARD, Sylvie DESCHAMPS, Mathieu BUSCHIAZZO
  • Publication number: 20190382084
    Abstract: A system can include a float, a winch, a line, and a collapsible fairing. The winch can be coupled to the float. The line can be associated with the winch, where the winch is configured to extend and retract the line. The collapsible fairing can surround the line. Extension and retraction of the line can cause the collapsible fairing to extend and collapse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Einar Nielsen, Karl Petter Elvestad
  • Publication number: 20190382085
    Abstract: A device for paying out an elongated flexible article from a vessel is described. The device comprises a storage unit for the article, overboarding guide means for the article, article support means defining a cable path between the storage unit and the overboarding guide means, and pulling means for advancing the elongated article along the path. The article support means comprise an overboarding support element that is translatable in a first direction, and a buffering support system comprising a support element that is translatable in a second direction, whereby a translation of the support element has the effect of varying the length of the cable path. A vessel equipped with the device is also described. The device and method allow paying out an elongated flexible article from a vessel in a more efficient way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Lucas Jan Adriaan Maria Bols, Philip Meijnardt Jacobus Scheers, Marco Martinus Maria Gremmen
  • Publication number: 20190382086
    Abstract: This invention is directed toward a fin box capable of accepting either a Futures or an FCS fin without the need for any additional products being added to either the fins or the fin box. The box has an internally-adjustable wedge that can force the bottom of a fin into an indent, thereby giving it a cant or angle. The box also has channels for both FCS and Futures fins, such that a user can easily exchange either brand of fin without adding or subtracting items from the fins or fin boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: John DeCourcey Milne, Tyler Stokes Callaway
  • Publication number: 20190382087
    Abstract: A ballast bag includes a top portion, a center portion coupled to the top portion, a bottom portion coupled to the center portion, and a spring coupled to the top portion and the bottom portion and encapsulated by the center portion, the spring being capable of expanding the ballast bag from a compact state to an erect state, the ballast bag being capable of retaining water in the erect state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaro S. Volny, Drew Hartman
  • Publication number: 20190382088
    Abstract: An inflator including in combination, an inflator body having at one end an input for receiving the neck of a gas cartridge, a manifold assembly intended to be fluidly connected to an inflatable, a combination automatic and manual actuator assembly including a spring-loaded actuator including a pierce pin for fracturing a frangible seal of the gas cartridge, a bobbin with a dissolvable pill that retains the spring-loaded actuator in a cocked position by an annular ring seat that engages the bobbin and a hood connected onto the end of the inflator body, the hood including an inwardly-extending tab that engages the actuator to securely retain the hood onto the end of the inflator body by means of the inwardly-extending tab being grasped by the forked end of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    Inventor: Lyman Fawcett
  • Publication number: 20190382089
    Abstract: A waterjet propulsion apparatus comprising a motor, an impeller driven by the motor via a drive shaft, and a power source. A fluid flow-path is formed through the apparatus, the flow-path extending from at least one fluid inlet, through two propulsion passages, each propulsion passage extending from a propulsion inlet to an outlet located at a rear end of the apparatus. The impeller is located within the flow-path, after the at least one fluid inlet, and before the propulsion inlet of the each of the propulsion passages. The motor is located outside of the flow-path, between the two propulsion passages, and behind the impeller. The apparatus is advantageous in that it provides a compact and lightweight construction that can, for example, be used as part of a personal marine propulsion device that can be used by an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Archie David Richard O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190382090
    Abstract: A propulsion system for a vessel includes an engine propulsion unit that provides a propulsive force to a hull by using an engine as a power source, an electric propulsion unit that provides a propulsive force to the hull by using an electric motor as a power source, a storing mechanism that is displaced from an actuating position to actuate the electric propulsion unit to a storing position to store the electric propulsion unit and performs a storing operation to store the electric propulsion unit, and an interlock controller that interlocks a storing operation of the storing mechanism with generation of a propulsive force by the engine propulsion unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Takayoshi SUZUKI, Akihiro ONOUE, Satoshi ISHIKAWA, Kohei YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20190382091
    Abstract: A paddle assistance and propulsion system for use with personal watercraft is disclosed. The paddle assistance and propulsion system may include different mounting techniques that allow a propulsion device (e.g., a motor) to be coupled to various types of personal watercraft. Some mounting techniques may include the use of magnets to couple a motor-side mount to a boat-side mount. The paddle assistance and propulsion system may also utilize a variety of sensors in combination with control systems to provide various types of paddle assistance and different types of paddle assistance modes for the user of the personal watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Damon Vincent Borich, Karen Borich, Andrea Grbavac, Zwckxally Obregon
  • Publication number: 20190382092
    Abstract: A thruster (1) for propelling a watercraft comprises at least one propeller (11, 12) on a rotatable propeller shaft (13, 14) and a motor (20) for driving the propeller shaft (13, 14) through a drive arrangement, particularly a drive arrangement comprising a rotatable drive shaft (31) and a coupling arrangement (32) arranged between the drive shaft (31) and an output shaft (22) of the motor (20) for coupling the drive shaft (31) to the output shaft (22) of the motor (20). The motor (20) is a permanent magnet motor, the stator body (21) of the motor (20) being provided with a recess (23) surrounding at least a part of the output shaft (22) of the motor (20), and the coupling arrangement (32) being at least partially located inside the recess (23) so that a 10 configuration having minimal constructional height is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: VETH PROPULSION B.V.
    Inventors: Teunis TERLOUW, Marco Gerritt HUISMAN, Hendrik Alexander VETH
  • Publication number: 20190382093
    Abstract: A small watercraft includes an input, a second storage, and a controller. The input receives an operation to switch the small watercraft into one of a plurality of control states, and includes a first storage that stores first control information indicating the one of the plurality of control states associated with the operation received by the input. The second storage stores second control information indicating one of the plurality of control states. The controller is able to write to one of the first and second storages. The input is supplied with electric power by supplying the controller with the electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Ryutaro IWAKI, Shigeyuki OZAWA, Masaru SUZUKI, Shingo IGARASHI, Naoki KINOMOTO
  • Publication number: 20190382094
    Abstract: A valve assembly for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided and includes an inlet tube, a shuttle, a base plate, a screw assembly, and a spacer block. The shuttle is partially disposed within the inlet tube and is configured to be placed in a first position where the shuttle abuts the inlet tube and a second position where the outer surface is disposed in spaced relation to the inlet tube. The base plate extends between a first end portion that defines a cavity therein and a second end portion. The screw assembly is disposed within the cavity of the base plate and is coupled to a portion of the shuttle. The spacer block is interposed between the second end portion of the inlet tube and the first end portion of the base plate and is configured to maintain the inlet tube and the base plate in spaced relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Anderson
  • Publication number: 20190382095
    Abstract: Retractable guide assemblies are provided to guide cargo load pallets onto a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft, the guide assembly having a support subassembly comprising a recessed housing box, a moveable guide subassembly pivotally connected to the support subassembly so as to be pivotally moveable relative thereto, and an actuator subassembly operatively interconnecting the moveable guide subassembly and the support subassembly. The actuator subassembly may thereby allow the moveable guide subassembly to be pivotally moveable between (i) a releasably locked stowed condition, (ii) a releasably locked deployed condition and (iii) a freely moveable unlocked maintenance condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Mario Tadeu Crema JUNIOR, Saint Clair TRISOTTO, Guilherme Peneluppi CORRÊA, Guilherme Barbosa de SOUSA
  • Publication number: 20190382096
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite assembly with a continuous skin for a rear end of an aircraft by obtaining an upper part of the rear end by composite tooling. The upper part comprises a multi-spar vertical tail plane. The spars of the vertical tail plane comprise widening roots that form an upper shell of the rear end and an upper skin. Furthermore, a lower part comprises a lower shell of the rear end including semi-complete frames and stringers and a lower skin. The upper and lower parts are assembled with a joining procedure. The upper and lower skins are joined to obtain the composite assembly with the continuous skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Esteban MARTINO-GONZALEZ, Alberto ARANA HIDALGO, Melania SANCHEZ PEREZ, Carlos GARCIA NIETO, Jesus Javier VAZQUEZ CASTRO, Edouard MENARD, Fernando INIESTA LOZANO, Maria Almudena CANAS RIOS
  • Publication number: 20190382097
    Abstract: An aircraft multi-purpose shoulder panel system having a shoulder panel insert is disclosed. The system features a circumferential base connected to the shoulder panel insert, an antenna compartment positioned on top of the circumferential base, and a removable antenna mounting plate positioned above, and connected to, the antenna compartment. The system also features an overall structure that provides unprecedented ruggedness, and enables aircraft antennae/sensor versatility, adaptability and reversibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: John Parsley, David Felker
  • Publication number: 20190382098
    Abstract: An oblique wing aircraft designed for reduced surface area to volume ratio. The aircraft has an oblique wing comprising a forward swept wing segment and an aft swept wing segment. A center oblique airfoil section connects the forward and aft swept wing segments. The center oblique airfoil section has a larger chord near its centerline than the chords of either of the forward or aft swept wing segments. The chord of the center oblique airfoil section tapers down more rapidly than the forward or aft wing segments as the center oblique airfoil section extends outboard toward the forward and aft swept wings. Preferably, the aircraft is an all-wing aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: William Randall McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20190382099
    Abstract: An aircraft wing includes a groove extending along a length between a forward extremity and an aft extremity. A forward segment of the groove extends upwardly to the forward extremity. The forward extremity is a highest point of the groove. A flap carriage is mounted to the groove and displaceable therealong. A flap is pivotably attached to the flap carriage to define a flap pivot axis about which the flap is rotatable. The flap is displaceable with the flap carriage. An actuator has an arm being extendable between an extended position and a retracted position to displace the flap carriage along the groove. The flap carriage in the retracted position being disposed in the forward segment of the groove and the flap being rotated about the flap pivot axis to position the flap trailing edge in negative flap deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Vlad ILIESCU
  • Publication number: 20190382100
    Abstract: A blade-fold bushing system includes a splined bushing comprising a first plurality of teeth, a castellated bushing comprising a second plurality of teeth and a shaft portion configured to coaxially fit within the splined bushing, and a lock bushing coaxially aligned with the castellated bushing. A support tool for use with a blade-fold bushing system includes an outer head comprising a third plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the first plurality of teeth of the splined bushing, and an inner head comprising a fourth plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the second plurality of teeth of the castellated bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Shundo, Glenn Alan Shimek