Patents Issued in January 2, 2024
  • Patent number: 11858549
    Abstract: A method for generating a steering command for controlling a vehicle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Amir Takhmar, Joshua M. Levin, Jimmy Zhong Yan Lu, Jayant Sachdev, Reza Zarringhalam
  • Patent number: 11858550
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a brace assembly that extends from a passenger side frame rail of a vehicle to a driver side frame rail of the vehicle, and at least one electrified vehicle powertrain module supported by the brace assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Do Young Chung, Robert Bartz, Jason C. Marcath, Chelliah Madasamy
  • Patent number: 11858551
    Abstract: A modular, cost-effective, field repairable chassis and mechanical components for an heavy duty autonomous robot having a uni-member bended frame 200 having a first end 210, a second end 220 and a middle section 240 whereby the uni-member bended frame 200 is configured to easily connect and remove the following body parts: a first set of rotatable members 310 removably affixable at the first end; a second set of rotatable members 320 removably affixable at the second end; at least one battery 330; at least one solar panel 340; at least one electric motor 350; at least one gearing mechanism 360 that is connectable to the at least one electric motor 350 and to at least one of the first and the second set of rotatable members 310, 320; at least one sensor 370; and at least one computer system 380.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Georgios Chrysanthakopoulos, Adlai Felser
  • Patent number: 11858552
    Abstract: An embodiment sliding door mounting reinforcement structure includes a sliding door lower reinforcement configured to be mounted on a side of a vehicle body along a length direction of the vehicle body, the sliding door lower reinforcement including a guide rail mounted therein, the guide rail being configured to guide movement of a sliding door, and a center floor cross unit configured to be mounted in a width direction of the vehicle body, wherein the sliding door lower reinforcement and the center floor cross unit are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Won Ki Song
  • Patent number: 11858553
    Abstract: A rear vehicle body structure includes two opposite rear side members to which wheelhouse panels are respectively coupled and spring seats positioned respectively at lower sides of the two opposite rear side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Byeongdo An, Mun Soo Cha
  • Patent number: 11858554
    Abstract: A cowl reinforcement structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for reinforcement of a cowl upper panel connected to a dash panel by forming a curved line along a front and rear direction of the vehicle includes a cowl upper side reinforcement member provided in a shape corresponding to the curved line of the cowl upper panel at the lower part of the cowl upper panel; and a cowl support bracket joined to the cowl upper side reinforcement member at the lower part of the cowl upper panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: HanSeok Song
  • Patent number: 11858555
    Abstract: A front body structure of a vehicle includes a dash member that extends in a vehicle width direction and separates a vehicle interior from an engine room, a pair of left and right front side frames that extend from left and right end portions of the dash member, and a pair of left and right suspension towers that are fixed to the pair of front side frames and support the upper portions of dampers of a suspension device. A first coupling member couples the dash member to the suspension towers. The first coupling member has a reinforced layer portion made of fiber reinforced plastic in which fibers are impregnated with a synthetic resin material. The fibers of the reinforced layer portion are oriented so that more fibers extend in a longitudinal direction than extend in directions other than the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Nishida, Chikara Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11858556
    Abstract: A hood assembly for an agricultural vehicle such as a farm tractor has a first hood panel and a second hood panel pivotably attached to the first hood panel and movable from a first closed position to a second open position relative to the first hood panel. The first hood panel is an elongate body mounted above an engine of the vehicle and having a front end and a rear end joined by two side portions. The second hood panel wraps around the front end of the first hood panel and extends along the two sides thereof to respective pivotal attachments. The attachments have a common pivot axis which traverses the first hood panel in spaced-apart relation to the first hood panel front end. Opening the second hood panel provides maintenance access to a cooling package of the vehicle without opening or disassembling the remainder of the hood assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Bräutigam, Andreas Kleinhenz, Franz Erhard, Thomas Maier, Simon Brack
  • Patent number: 11858557
    Abstract: A support structure for a motor vehicle instrument panel support having a support part, which follows the longitudinal extension of the instrument panel support, and a metal connector for connecting the support part to another structure. The support part is made of a different material than the metal connector. The metal connector has a multi-part construction including a base part and a bracket part. The base part has a support part connection surface supported on the lateral surface of the support part. The bracket part encloses the support part opposite to the support part connection surface to provide a support part enclosure together with the support part connection surface of the base part. The metal connector is connected in a materially bonded manner to the support part in the area of its support part enclosure. The bracket part is connected to the base part via a joining process using heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Günther, Phil Grüssing, Dominik Tentscher
  • Patent number: 11858558
    Abstract: A body frame and a vehicle having the same are provided. The body frame includes: a transverse beam, provided with a transverse sliding groove; a longitudinal beam, connected with the transverse beam and provided with a longitudinal sliding groove; and a joint, disposed at a junction of the transverse beam and the longitudinal beam and mounted to the transverse beam by a transverse rivet and to the longitudinal beam by a longitudinal rivet. The transverse rivet is slidably mated with the transverse sliding groove, and the longitudinal rivet is slidably mated with the longitudinal sliding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wang Peng, Fengshou Huang, Zhiqiang Wang, Zhen Chen
  • Patent number: 11858559
    Abstract: A cargo component of a vehicle includes a panel, at least one ridge, and a plurality of measurement gradations. The ridge extends along the panel. The plurality of measurement gradations are formed in and along the ridge. In one form, the ridge extends in a longitudinal direction of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Henry Dean, George David Aucott, AmirReza Latif
  • Patent number: 11858560
    Abstract: A railing assembly includes at least one ratcheting post and at least one connection post. The at least one ratcheting post includes at least one ratcheting assembly attached to the at least one ratcheting post for selectively engaging a strap and the at least one connecting post including at least one attachment point for engaging an attachment member on the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: David Gunsberg, Jeffrey Bronson
  • Patent number: 11858561
    Abstract: A material transfer vehicle has a frame, a front end including an asphalt paving material receiving device, and rear end including a discharge conveyor which is adapted to convey asphalt paving material to the receiving hopper of an asphalt paving machine. An operator's station includes an operator's platform on which is mounted an operator's seat. The operator's platform is moveable between a travel position that is entirely within the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle and an operating position that locates the operator's seat at least partially outside the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Neisen
  • Patent number: 11858562
    Abstract: A drag reduction device for improving drag efficiency on a land vehicle includes one or more drag reduction devices that are coupled to an exterior portion or contained internally within the vehicle. The drag reduction devices include one or more fan assemblies each contained within a respective housing. The fan assemblies all include, in general, cross-flow fans and air foils that are configured to adjust the movement of air over and around the trailer unit as the land vehicle is being driven along a surface during normal use, and thus provide reduced resistance from air friction and pressure friction and contribute significantly to reduced fuel or other energy consumption as the land vehicle is being driven along a surface during normal use. The fan blades and air foils can be plasma-controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Energy Horizon LLC
    Inventor: Ibrahim Rafaat Mahmoud Morsi Hussein
  • Patent number: 11858563
    Abstract: Rear fences and a system for deploying the rear fences on a vehicle are described. The rear fences are disposed inboard of and spaced apart from the rear pillars. The rear fences may be folded against the rear panel of the vehicle when retracted and are rotated to a central position in a deployed position. The system includes a deployment control system including controller logic having at least one processor and a memory storing instructions for implementing deployment and retraction of rear fences on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Metka, David J. Rose, Benjamin Bowlby, Pirooz Moradnia
  • Patent number: 11858564
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a first axle assembly coupled to the frame and including a first pair of tractive elements, a second axle assembly coupled to the frame and including a second pair of tractive elements, a prime mover coupled to the frame and configured to drive the first axle assembly and the second tractive assembly to propel the vehicle, a ballast movably coupled to the frame, and a ballast actuator configured to reposition the ballast relative to the frame to shift a center of gravity of the vehicle relative to the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Payne
  • Patent number: 11858565
    Abstract: A track joint assembly includes a first track chain and a second track chain, and a track pin including a first pin end, a second pin end, and a center section. A track guiding space extends between the first track chain and the second track chain. The center section of the track pin has an enlarged diameter, relative to first and second pin ends, and an outer wear surface exposed to the track guiding space. The outer wear surface may directly contact a rotatable track-engaging element in a ground-engaging track system, such as a sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: William Baar
  • Patent number: 11858566
    Abstract: A track link having sensor-receiving cavities and a method of producing a track link is disclosed. The track link may include a link body and a cavity formed in the link body configured to receive a sensing device. The track link may also include a protrusion substantially surrounding the cavity. The protrusion may include a substantially flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., AsiaTrak (Tianjin) Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald J. Kalmes, William P. Shoemaker, Yaodong Zhou, Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 11858567
    Abstract: A movable object includes an upper frame and a drive part that is provided under the upper frame and is connected to the upper frame. The drive part includes a first actuator that is connected to the upper frame and rotates on a vertical axis, a first link that is connected to the first actuator and rotatable on the vertical axis by the first actuator, a second actuator that is provided on a first side of the first link and rotates on a horizontal axis, and a second link that faces the first link and is rotatable on a first end portion thereof facing the first link by the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ki Hyeon Bae, Hyun Seop Lim, Sang In Park, Ju Young Yoon, Dong Hyun Lee, Beom Su Kim, Joo Won Lee, Hyo Joong Kim, Dong Jin Hyun, Kyu Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 11858568
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling rear wheel steering is provided. The apparatus includes a turning state estimator that acquires steering angle information from a steering angle sensor and estimates a turning state by calculating a required steering speed from the steering angle information. A normal state lateral acceleration predictor predicts a normal state lateral acceleration to match the required steering speed in response to determining that the required steering speed is equal to or greater than a speed threshold value. A rear wheel steering angle calculator calculates a rear wheel steering angle based on the steering angle and the lateral acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 11858569
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a vehicle body, N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) wheels including one or more front wheels and one or more rear wheels, a force generator, and a force controller. The N wheels include one or more turn wheels turnable in the width direction of the vehicle. The force generator is configured to generate a force which changes a yaw angular acceleration. The force controller is configured to control the force generator. A gravity center of the vehicle body is located away from a rotation center of the vehicle toward front side or rear side when the vehicle turns. The force controller controls the force generator to control a roll torque in the width direction acting on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keizo Araki, Akira Mizuno, Shota Kubo
  • Patent number: 11858570
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot is provided. The autonomous mobile robot includes an upper module including a cargo space provided therein, and a cover, a lower module positioned under the upper module and providing a driving force, and a driving module provided in the lower module, in which the driving module includes a plurality of pairs of wheels capable of asynchronously contacting a road surface or ground so as to overcome a step or a stair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ROBOTIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Sik Yang, Byoung Soo Kim, In Yong Ha
  • Patent number: 11858571
    Abstract: Vehicle chassis with interchangeable performance packages and related methods. are disclosed herein. An example vehicle chassis disclosed herein includes a frame including a first chassis portion including a cavity, a battery platform coupled to first chassis portion, and a first subframe couplable within the cavity, the first subframe including a first motor and a first suspension assembly, and a second subframe couplable within the cavity, the second subframe including a second motor and a second suspension assembly, the second motor having a greater power than the first motor, the second suspension assembly having a greater stiffness than the first suspension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Marielle Conrad, Benjamin Jordan Curtis, David Earl Ooms, Yejin Han
  • Patent number: 11858572
    Abstract: A parallel cell based mobility production system is disclosed. The system includes a serial production line composed of a plurality of cells arranged in series, and through which the vehicles of various types are sequentially passed to be processed. The system further includes a parallel production line composed of a plurality of sublines arranged in parallel, wherein each subline is provided with the plurality of cells arranged in series and matched for each vehicle type, and in which a vehicle passing through the serial production line is fed to a corresponding subline for each vehicle type. Furthermore, the system includes an inspection line in which the vehicles of various types passing through the parallel production line are sequentially fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Suk Jae Youn
  • Patent number: 11858573
    Abstract: A steerable drive wheel assembly includes two independently motor-driven wheels. The wheels are supported in side-by-side orientation for independent rotation about a common horizontal rolling axis, and equally laterally offset from said vertical steering axis. The wheels and their respective drive motors are carried in a drive module that is mounted like a turret under an intermediate suspension module via a rotary bearing. The intermediate suspension module is mounted on linear bearing assemblies within an outer housing. Biasing members urge the intermediate suspension module together with its drive module downwardly to maintain traction with a floor. A compact configuration is achieved by overlapping the drive motors with the opposite wheels. Position control is achieved by a strategic sensor array. Electrical wire management is achieved by a serpentine energy chain located in the plane of the rotary bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Conceptual Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Elmer Lee, Tyler Bretes, Michael Anthony Aerts, Ryan Joseph Lotsbaich
  • Patent number: 11858574
    Abstract: Provided is a steering control device and a steering control method that can suppress the deterioration of the turning responsiveness at the initial stage of steering that may occur in a four-wheel steering vehicle and improve the steering stability when the front and rear wheels of the four-wheel steering vehicle are controlled in the same phase. A steering control device 1 of a vehicle that controls a rear wheel steering angle based on a front wheel steering angle includes a control unit 19 that controls an amount obtained by dividing an integrated value of a change in the rear wheel steering angle in a second steering section where an absolute value of the front wheel steering angle is constant and/or decreases by a time to be larger than an amount obtained by dividing an integrated value of a change in the rear wheel steering angle in a first steering section where the absolute value of the front wheel steering angle increases by a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Go Sakayori, Junya Takahashi, Hiroshi Nakano, Tomoaki Fujibayashi
  • Patent number: 11858575
    Abstract: A bicycle rack includes a bicycle support structure that may be positioned as desired on upper and lower pivot bars. The bicycle support structure includes a wheel hoop that allows the front wheel and handlebars of a suspended bicycle to be leaned. The bicycle support structure may be pivoted relative to the upper and lower pivot bars. The upper and lower pivot bars may include a plurality of mounting points at close spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: East Mountain Outfitters, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Blake Owen, Bryce Allen Owen
  • Patent number: 11858576
    Abstract: A dropper seatpost head assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a lower post for insertion into a seat tube of a vehicle and an upper post having a housing coupled at one end thereof, the upper post to telescopically slide with respect to the lower post to form a dropper seatpost. The assembly also includes a saddle rail clamp assembly having a lower saddle rail clamping portion rotatably coupled with the housing and an upper saddle rail clamping portion to couple with the lower saddle rail clamping portion to form a clamping structure. The lower saddle rail clamping portion having a drooped shape such that the lower saddle rail clamping portion and the clamping structure hang down in a plane that intersects at least a portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Coaplen, Bryan Wesley Anderson, William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 11858577
    Abstract: A motorcycle trim component includes a hose guide designed to receive and hold a hose. The hose guide is formed integrally with the motorcycle trim component. The hose guide is designed to be incorporated into a motorcycle assembly having a brake line, with the brake line being accommodated in the hose guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Krych, Martin Pazulla
  • Patent number: 11858578
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a foot-deck device and a vehicle. The foot-deck device includes: a bracket; two deck assemblies oppositely disposed on the bracket, the two deck assemblies each including a deck and a rotating shaft, the rotating shafts being pivotally disposed on the bracket, and the decks being disposed on the rotating shafts; and a linkage mechanism, the rotating shaft of one deck assembly being coupled to the rotating shaft of the other deck assembly through the linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism being used to cause the rotating shafts of the two deck assemblies to rotate synchronously and cause the decks of the two deck assemblies to rotate synchronously to respective folded positions or unfolded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ninebot (Changzhou) Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuanyu Huang, Can Wang, Ke Chen, Chao Ren
  • Patent number: 11858579
    Abstract: A bicycle mirror device is provided for rear viewing of traffic when a bicycle rider is in different riding positions. The bicycle mirror device includes a mounting bracket, attached to a bicycle helmet or eye glasses, and mirrors pivotally mounted to the mounting arms. The mounting arms may be attached to the helmet or eye glasses through an extension arm connected to the helmet or eye glasses through a quick-connect system. A method for using the bicycle mirror device includes mounting the mirror device on a helmet or eye glasses, rotating a first mirror to view a first rear-view angle for a cyclist in a low riding position, rotating a second mirror to view a second rear-view angle for the cyclist in an upright riding position, and viewing a plurality of rear view angles without readjusting the first or second mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Michael John Kelly
  • Patent number: 11858580
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a frame, a wheel coupled to the frame, and a battery assembly including a housing supported by the frame. The housing includes a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. A drive assembly of the electric vehicle is at least partially enclosed within a drive housing unit. The drive assembly includes a motor configured to receive power from the battery assembly and a gear assembly configured to transmit torque from the motor to the wheel. The drive housing unit is positioned below the bottom side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LiveWire EV, LLC
    Inventors: David Isaac Aunkst, Samuel Nicholas Reitinger, Eric James Klumpp, Ronald Hurth, Ben Matthew Lund
  • Patent number: 11858581
    Abstract: A detecting device is provided for detecting a condition of a bicycle crank assembly including a bicycle crank provided to a bicycle frame. The detecting device includes an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to obtain information relating to an image of the crank. The electronic controller is configured to determine an angle of the crank based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yuji Izuru, Kenta Kawakami, Noriyuki Kai, Mao Kuroda, Yuuka Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 11858582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric kickboard in which an impact absorbing device is installed, and more particularly, to an electric kickboard including an impact absorbing device to support a weight of a user standing up by allowing the impact absorbing device to sufficiently absorb an impact when a seat is vibrated during riding by using elasticity of springs having different spring constants and including a self-power generating drive at one side thereof to produce electricity using vertical vibrations during riding and accumulate the produced electricity, thereby improving an energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Kyung Hee Han
  • Patent number: 11858583
    Abstract: A bicycle subassembly includes a bicycle component having a socket and a tube having a first tube portion received in the socket and a second tube portion extending outwardly from the socket. The tube includes a cold worked region spanning at least a portion of the first tube portion and at least a first portion of the second tube portion. The tube includes a non-cold worked region spanning at least a second portion of the second tube portion. Methods for making the tube and subassembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas, Josh Lau, Sarah Blakeslee
  • Patent number: 11858584
    Abstract: A lower fork alignment system for a vehicle is described. The lower fork alignment system includes: a brace detachably coupling a first lower tube and a second lower tube of a lower fork, wherein the first and second lower tubes include: first and second receiving adjustment mechanism configured for receiving corresponding interfacing mechanisms of the brace, wherein upon receipt of alignment features of the interfacing mechanisms, one of the first lower tube and the second lower tube is enabled to be adjusted in a horizontal direction along a horizontal axis, and the other of the first lower tube and the second lower tube is enabled to be adjusted in a vertical direction along a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Galasso
  • Patent number: 11858585
    Abstract: Provided is a straddle vehicle that allows for high design flexibility, that can absorb strong shocks applied in the up-down direction, and that can avoid contacting obstacles on the ground. The straddle vehicle includes a supported structure and a shock absorber. The supported structure includes a first element that performs a first function and a second element that performs a second function, the second element being located above a rear of the first element. The shock absorber includes an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion. The lower mounting portion of the shock absorber is connected to a swing arm, and the upper mounting portion of the shock absorber is connected to the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11858586
    Abstract: A motorcycle conversion kit for a three wheeled motorcycle wherein the conversion kit of the present invention is operable to transition the motorcycle so as to traverse across a snowy terrain. The conversion kit of the present invention includes a pair of ski assemblies that are operably secured to the front rotor assembly of the motorcycle. The ski assemblies include rotor movement inhibitors. A swing arm assembly is operably coupled to the frame and includes a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion has rotatably mounted thereto a snow belt drive wheel. The show belt drive wheel is superposed a snow belt of a snow belt assembly wherein the snow belt assembly is secured to the frame of the motorcycle. The kit further includes a fuel cell bracket assembly having support members mounted on opposing sides of the frame and having a compartment rearward of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Zeger Van Thuyl, Joe Abare
  • Patent number: 11858587
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal is provided with a pedal shaft and a pedal body. The pedal shaft has a first end portion configured to attach to a bicycle crank, a second end portion on an opposite side of the first end portion in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the pedal shaft, and a contact portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The pedal body has a body part rotatably supported by the pedal shaft and a load receiving part at a position corresponding to the contact portion of the pedal shaft. The load receiving part receives a load from the contact portion of the pedal shaft. The load receiving part is at least partly spaced from the contact portion under a no load condition and contacts the contact portion upon a load applied to the pedal body from a rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Inoue, Tatsuya Watanabe, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11858588
    Abstract: A rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a lock device. The lock device includes a first lock member and a second lock member. The first lock member includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The second lock member includes a third axial end and a fourth axial end. The third axial end is configured to be attached to the second axial end of the first lock member in an assembled state where the first sprocket and the lock device are assembled as one unit. The fourth axial end has at least one radial projection configured to abut against a first sprocket in the axial direction in the mounting state. The lock device is configured so that the first sprocket is slidable relative to the lock device in the axial direction in the assembled state and before the mounting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11858589
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wave-dissipating and wave-resisting integrated floating photovoltaic device capable of resisting severe sea conditions, comprising at least one floating photovoltaic unit, wherein the floating photovoltaic units are connected through connecting pieces, and the connecting pieces can avoid collision between the floating photovoltaic units. The floating photovoltaic unit comprises a floating system, photovoltaic systems and a walkway system; the floating system is used for supporting the photovoltaic systems and bearing wave load impact; the photovoltaic systems are photovoltaic power generation systems; the walkway system is arranged between the photovoltaic systems, and the walkway system provides convenience for later maintenance of the floating photovoltaic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Jiangsu university of science and technology
    Inventors: Chunyan Ji, Fali Huo, Jianting Guo, Yong Cheng, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 11858590
    Abstract: A mast righting assistance assembly includes a trailer hitch extension subassembly includes a trailer hitch extension insert and a trailer hitch extension receiver tube extending opposite directions, a winch subassembly carried by the trailer hitch extension subassembly, and a vertical column carried by the trailer hitch extension subassembly. A winch cable is routed from a winch drum through a cable redirecting component attached to a top of the vertical column. The cable is secured to rigging of the mast for controlling stepping and unstepping of the mast. The winch spools and unspools the cable to step and unstep the mast respectively. The vertical column is adjustable in height to obtain a desirable minimum force application angle respective to stowed mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Leslie Ann Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11858591
    Abstract: A boat includes a bow and a stern, a deck between the bow and the stern, a longitudinal centerline extending from the bow to the stern dividing the deck into a port side and a starboard side, and a side shade assembly attached to the boat on one of the port side of the deck and the starboard side of the deck. The side shade assembly includes a frame and a side shade cover supported by the frame such that the side shade cover extends outboard beyond the deck in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Chad A. Lynema, Joseph Hamilton, III, Jon Broncatello, Gary W. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11858592
    Abstract: A rail system for a pontoon boat is provided. The rail system allows for the addition and removal of a pontoon boat skin, as well as additional features and attachments without dismantling the rail system. The system may include detachable rail caps and/or rail attachments that hold the skin against the rail. The rails also include features to attach exterior attachments such as accents, bumpers, and inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Benoit J. Renaud, Brian M. Rupp, Walter B. Ross
  • Patent number: 11858593
    Abstract: A self-retrievable anchor with a shovel, lever, and manifold contains no welded parts eliminating weld failure due to tensional and bending forces during anchor retrieval. The anchor has interchangeable parts. The manifold attaches the shovel to lever, and contains at least an internal breakable fuse. A specific dimensioned fuse to anchor size is used. The fuse is not universal. When a tensional force is applied above fuse shear strength capacity, and below breaking strength of the rope, the fuse breaks rotating the shovel 180° about a pivot hinge pin. The anchor is released when stuck at sea bottom without any loss. The anchor's interchangeable parts makes it capable to change shovel shapes suitable to different sea bottom conditions. A stop bar on the shovel portion may be included. The lever may also detach during retrieval by a breakable pivot hinge pin or fuse pin alone, and shovel/manifold later replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sardine Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Freire, Jose Guggenheim
  • Patent number: 11858594
    Abstract: An anchor assist device for use with a grappling anchor, the grappling anchor including a shank, a plurality of prongs extending outwardly from a lower end of the shank and an inner portion defined by the lower end of the shank and corresponding lower ends of each of the prongs. The anchor assist device including a plate section having a base end and an opposing ground-engaging end. The base end of the plate section is attached to the inner portion of the grappling anchor, such that the plate section is supported by one or more prongs of the grappling anchor, and the ground- engaging end of the plate section extends outwardly from the inner portion of the grappling anchor to provide increased anchor hold capacity within soft anchoring ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Roger William Belding
  • Patent number: 11858595
    Abstract: A deck hook having the capability 1) to accept loading force in wide space angles of multiple directions, and 2) to distribute loading forces over increased deck/socket surface areas thereby increasing durability of the deck elements built from non-steel materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Peck & Hale, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph Royt
  • Patent number: 11858596
    Abstract: A retractable entry/exit system for a boat that mounts below a swim platform or other similar boat structure. The system has a main frame, a linkage, a number of step assemblies and a single actuator. The actuator is configured to move the linkage to selectively extend or retract the step assemblies. When retracted, the system is folded into a compact arrangement under the mounting structure. When extended, the step assemblies extend beyond the mounting structure, where they can be used to conveniently enter and exit the boat or as a place to rest, lounge, sit or otherwise enjoy the water. The linkage may include a bell crank assembly with integral linkage arms, as well as a pair of supplemental linkage arms. The linkage arms may be disposed toward opposite sides of the system and may be operatively coupled to step brackets that support opposite ends of each step assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The New Sealift, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen G. Johns
  • Patent number: 11858597
    Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attach and release configurable elements from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Eric Seeley
  • Patent number: 11858598
    Abstract: A water ski system includes an elongate ski body member having an aft end portion with a mounting face. Interchangeable tail members having an engagement face are configured to be selectively mounted to the ski body such that the engagement face of the tail member abut the mounting face of the ski body member. Attachment hardware removably fixes the selected tail member to the ski body member. The interchangeable tail members may have a variety of shapes and lengths, allowing a skier to customize the water ski to accommodate differing water ski styles, water, conditions, and skill levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Connelly Skis, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas A. Cannon