Including Steerable And Driven Wheel Patents (Class 180/211)
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Patent number: 12054210Abstract: Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: AZAK INC.Inventor: Benjamin Meager
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Patent number: 12030584Abstract: The motor vehicle (1) includes a rolling forecarriage (3) and a non-rolling rear carriage (5). The forecarriage is connected to the rear carriage by a linkage system (23) that includes a four-bar linkage defining a roll axis that remains in a fixed position and on the supporting surface (S) of the motor vehicle (1) when the motor vehicle performs a roll movement.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
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Patent number: 11980124Abstract: A self-propelled robotic lawnmower may include a lawnmower body, a body part movably arranged in relation to the lawnmower body, and an elongated sensor element extending in an interface between the lawnmower body and the body part. The elongated sensor element may be configured to generate a signal when a portion of the elongated sensor element is subjected to a change in thickness in a direction perpendicular to a direction of elongation of the elongated sensor element by a relative movement between the body part and the lawnmower body.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Stefan Stark, Svante Larsson, Staffan Palm
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Patent number: 11884223Abstract: A vehicle includes a body having a first outer periphery in a first plane parallel to a surface on which the vehicle moves in a horizontal direction; a bumper assembly having a second outer periphery in a second plane parallel to the first plane and including portions that extend beyond the first outer periphery; one or more flexible couplings coupling the bumper assembly to the body and allowing for horizontal planar deflection of the bumper assembly relative to the body when the bumper assembly impacts an obstacle; one or more sensors mounted to detect planar deflection of the bumper assembly and being configured to generate signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount; and a drive system configured to propel the vehicle and, in response to the signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount, cause the vehicle to stop moving.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Nathanael Arling Worden, Michael John Hector
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Patent number: 10875597Abstract: A vehicle includes: a vehicle body; three or more wheels; an operation input unit to be operated to input a turning direction; and a lean mechanism for leaning the vehicle body in its width direction. Within at least partial range of vehicle velocity, the vehicle is configured to travel in a mode in which the vehicle body is leaned by the lean mechanism according to an input into the operation input unit, and a steering angle of a steered wheel changes following a lean of the vehicle body. And, the vehicle includes a changing device for changing a turn resistance force acting between the vehicle body and the steered wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: EQUOS RESEARCH CO., LTD.Inventors: Akira Mizuno, Keizo Araki
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Patent number: 10823266Abstract: A transmission device for a motor vehicle includes a first connecting shaft operatively connectable to a first subaxle of a wheel axle of the motor vehicle; a second connecting shaft operatively connectable to a second subaxle of the wheel axle; a coupling transmission having a drive shaft operatively connectable with a drive aggregate of the motor vehicle, and an output shaft operatively connectable with the first wheel axle, wherein via the coupling transmission the drive shaft is operatively connected with the output shaft and with the first and the second connecting shaft for torque distribution; and a superposition transmission, wherein the output shaft is operatively connectable with at least one of the first connecting shaft and the second connecting shaft via the superposition transmission by shifting the superposition transmission.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Christian Meixner
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Patent number: 10633046Abstract: A front frame is provided with a seat for at least one person and a front wheel mounting for at least one front wheel; and a back frame provided with a rear wheel mounting for at least two back wheels. The front frame is connected via a rotary axis with the back frame, the rotary axis having a component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A drive arrangement engages on at least one of the wheels; a steering arrangement is arranged for rotating at least one front wheel relative to the front frame, over a rotation axis with a vertical component. The rear wheel mounting comprises rotatable mounting members for mounting the rear wheels, the mounting members rotatable over a rotation axis with a vertical component, wherein one or more rear wheel steering actuators drive the mounting members. A tilt actuator controls the tilt position of the front frame relative to the rear frame, which is independent of the steering actuation of the rear wheel steer actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: KERV AUTOMOTIVE N.V.Inventors: Elias van Wijk, Arjan Voorbij
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Patent number: 10588805Abstract: Disclosed is a low profile rolling support assembly useful for supporting loads above a supporting surface where at least one end of the rolling support assembly is positionable beneath a structure having minimal clearance above the supporting surface. The rolling support assembly includes a load bearing member and a caster assembly containing a wheel where the load bearing member extends laterally away from the caster assembly at substantially the same height or less as the caster assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Handicare USA, Inc.Inventor: Matthew Grow
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Patent number: 10493525Abstract: An attachment device for lifting and removing build plates and additive manufactured parts built on the build plates from an additive manufacturing machine. The attachment device may fit onto a lift trolley to cooperatively engage with and lift the build plate upward off of a surface of the additive manufacturing machine. The attachment device may include a support bar, two lifting arms, and a mounting bracket. The support bar may have a slider track formed therethrough, so that the lifting arms can be adjusted to correspond with a width of the build plate. The lifting arms may each having a channel formed along a length thereof and an interfacing portion slidably located within the slider track. The channels may be sized and shaped to engage with a bottom surface and/or opposing edges of the build plates. The mounting bracket may attach to a lifting device of the lift trolley.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLCInventor: Christian Barr
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Patent number: 10316933Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed. The motors are preferably for use in an automated vehicle, although any one or more of a variety of motor uses are suitable. The motors include lift, turntable, and locomotion motors.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: William D. Moore, Philip S. Johnson
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Patent number: 10179508Abstract: Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: PAHA DESIGNS, LLCInventor: Benjamin Meager
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Patent number: 10093217Abstract: An apparatus includes a height-adjustable gantry assembly configured to be securely connected to a gantry load resting on a working surface. The height-adjustable gantry assembly, in use, lifts and supports the gantry load vertically above the working surface. A movable frame assembly is configured to move and support the height-adjustable gantry assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Inventors: Antu Eduardo Chicahuala, Daniel Chicahuala
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Patent number: 10071627Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated steering drive axle for a vehicle and an electric vehicle. The integrated steering drive axle includes an integrally rigid axle beam arranged to extend between the two wheels along the lateral direction of the vehicle, and two motor drive systems mounted at the axle beam, wherein each motor drive system can independently drive a corresponding one of the two wheels to rotate and turn; wherein each motor drive system includes: a first drive electric motor, arranged separately from the corresponding wheel; a first transmission mechanism, arranged between the first drive electric motor and the corresponding wheel and used for transferring the output power of the first drive electric motor to the corresponding wheel to drive the corresponding wheel to rotate; and a second drive electric motor, used for providing steering power necessary for steering the corresponding wheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignees: ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.Inventor: Shufu Li
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Patent number: 10065693Abstract: Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: PAHA DESIGNS, LLCInventor: Benjamin Meager
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Patent number: 9752652Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed. The motors are preferably for use in an automated vehicle, although any one or more of a variety of motor uses are suitable. The motors include lift, turntable, and locomotion motors.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: William D. Moore, Philip S. Johnson
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Patent number: 9499024Abstract: A pair of left and right arm members supported in a swingable manner by a vehicle body on inner sides in the transverse direction for supporting left and right front wheels in a steerable manner on outer sides in the transverse direction. A shock absorber support arm has a transversely central portion thereof supported by the vehicle body in a swingable manner and is connected to the left and right arm members through shock absorber units on outer sides in the transverse direction, respectively. The actuator is capable of controlling the swinging of the shock absorber support arm. A load detection unit for detecting a load transmitted between the shock absorber support arm and the actuator is provided at a connection portion between the actuator and the shock absorber support arm. A control unit controls the actuator on the basis of detection results by the load detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Yotaro Mori
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Patent number: 9469322Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle (10) suitable for use as a golfing accessory, the vehicle comprising: a plurality of wheels (14, 21), a base part (12) and a control arm (18), wherein the control arm and base part are moveable relative to one another so that said vehicle can be arranged in one of a plurality of different operating configurations.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Inventor: Arnold Du Toit
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Patent number: 9434243Abstract: A power receiving connector includes a connection port to connect a power supply connector in a first direction. A grasped portion for an operator to grasp is provided near the power receiving connector. At least a portion of the grasped portion is located in a second direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction from the power receiving connector when the connection port of the power receiving connector is viewed in the first direction. When the power supply connector provided in a battery charger is connected to the power receiving connector provided in a vehicle body and the power supply connector is pulled out from the power receiving connector, instability of the attitude of the vehicle body is reduced or prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Riki Nakao
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Patent number: 9434438Abstract: Disclosed is a method for driving a two-wheel self-balancing scooter to maintain straight drivability at occurrence of external force. The method includes a driving ready step of applying a power to the two-wheel self-balancing scooter (S10), a driving step of setting a driving speed and a forward/backward direction by leaning an occupant's body forward or backward (S20), when one wheel goes flat, a revolutions increasing step of rapidly increasing revolutions of the flat wheel (S30), a revolutions decreasing step of decreasing revolutions of a normal wheel according to the revolutions of the flat wheel (S40), a revolutions synchronizing step of equally setting the revolutions of the flat wheel and the normal wheel (S50), and a synchronization repeating step of repeating the revolutions synchronizing step (S60).Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: ROBO3 CO., LTD.Inventors: Joon-Hyung Kim, Hwa Sung Jun
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Patent number: 9411339Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
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Patent number: 9411336Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
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Patent number: 9403667Abstract: A lift truck includes systems and methods for improved vibration control. Vibration control features reduce or eliminate motion of the truck in one or more of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. Some embodiments may include, alone or in combination with the vibration control, stability control to further stabilize the motion of the truck.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Paul P. McCabe, John B. Kirk, Bryce Gregory, Michael G. Field
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Patent number: 9132879Abstract: A kit and method of motorcycle to trike conversion using a mono-coupe style overlay plate on both sides of the rear swing arm and a non-straddle differential design incorporating hollow metal tube axles and high thrust load maximum surface area bearings, the having a differential assembly comprising a non-straddle differential, a frame, and an axle assembly comprising an axle, wherein the non-straddle differential is supported by the axle.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Yelvington Trikes, LLCInventor: Richard Daniel Yelvington
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Publication number: 20150129341Abstract: Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventor: Ali Kermani
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Patent number: 9004214Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame with a frame sidewall providing a substantially flat surface, with recesses in the flat surface. Alignment arms have inner ends and outer ends, where the inner ends are mounted to the frame sidewall, and the outer ends mount a wheel hub. The inner ends have couplings with pivotal portions and fixed portions, the pivotal portions being at least partially positioned within the recesses, and the fixed portions being attached to the substantially flat surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: James A. J. Holroyd, Gustavo A. Aramayo, Brian T. Utter, Jason J. Hohenstein, Donald Brett Gass
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Patent number: 8997911Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a steering section and a main body section connected together; a steerable wheel which is rotatably mounted to the steering section and which steers the vehicle body; a non-steerable wheel which is rotatably mounted to the main body section; a steering apparatus for inputting a steering instruction information; an inclination actuator apparatus for inclining the steering section or the main body section in a turning direction; a steering actuator apparatus for varying a steering angle of the steerable wheel based on the steering instruction information inputted from the steering apparatus; and a control apparatus which controls the inclination actuator apparatus and the steering actuator apparatus. The control apparatus controls a center of gravity to move in a steering direction included in the steering instruction information at an initial steering stage so that an acceleration toward turning-locus inner side is generated.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Equos Research, Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koki Hayashi
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Patent number: 8985255Abstract: A three wheel electric vehicle platform with two wheels in front and one wheel at the rear, a full safety roll cage, a propulsion and steering system operating through the two front wheels, and operator's and passenger's seats mounted in-line along the vehicle centerline. The propulsion system is an electric motor powered by an energy storage device driving a speed reduction and differential with dual outputs suitable for two wheel front drive. The operator's seat is narrower in parts than a conventional automotive seat such that the rear seat passenger's knees can comfortably straddle the operator seat to allow the distance between the two occupants to be less than a typical automobile. The driver's and passenger's heels comfortably fit into recessed wells within the energy storage device, thus allowing the driver's and passenger's center of gravity to be lower, while still maintaining a comfortable sitting position.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Arcimoto, Inc.Inventors: Mark Douglas Frohnmayer, Thomas Hynes Mohler, Christopher George Angot, James K. Jordan, Landon Chappell, Ames Jacoby, Larry William Milligan
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Patent number: 8973695Abstract: A vehicle wheeled device has a drive wheel, two foot pads and two support wheels. The drive wheel is adapted to drive the device along a longitudinal drive path with the foot pads being located at opposing longitudinal sides of the drive wheel. The two support wheels of the device are adapted to engage the ground face at one of the longitudinal sides of the drive wheel with the drive path being located therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Eyal Jacob Aloni
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Publication number: 20150041231Abstract: An electric powered personal mobility vehicle that includes at least one front wheel and an electric motor that provides rotational force to a wheel of the vehicle. The electric motor is supported by the vehicle and is powered by a rechargeable battery that is also supported by the vehicle. The vehicle can also include swivel caster wheels each configured to rotate about a wheel axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Robert Chen, Robert Hadley, William Griggs
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Patent number: 8875831Abstract: Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Inventor: Ali Kermani
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Patent number: 8857551Abstract: A rear suspension of a three-wheeled car with two front wheels and one rear wheel installed in the car body frame may include a pair of roll links that may be connected to the front wheels and twists as the car turns, and a roll connector that pivots around a shaft as the roll links twist, and a knuckle assembly, which may be joined to a rear wheel, installed in the rear end of the car body frame, and connected to a roll connector so that it turns left and right as the roll connector turns, wherein the knuckle assembly turns in the same direction the front wheels turn.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Sang-Hoon Lee, Jae-Kil Lee
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Patent number: 8783394Abstract: A drive wheel and suspension for a vehicle for mounting on a steering post to provide both a steering capability and propulsion to the vehicle. The drive wheel and suspension provides a spring suspension for that wheel of the vehicle, as well as what is effectively vehicle body mounting of the propulsion system so as to minimize un-sprung weight and to provide a compact assembly to support a suitable aesthetic and protective fender over the drive wheel and suspension.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: T3 Motion, Inc.Inventors: Ki Y. Nam, Richard Taras, Kenneth Tien Cao
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Patent number: 8757316Abstract: A trochoid propulsion system includes wheels provided at three points of the outer edge of an outer wheel part that turns around a driving shaft; and a steering link part that co-rotates with the action part and is movable horizontally on a turning plane. The steering link part includes a liner slider including a guide member attached to a vertical steering shaft that rotates each wheel so that the length direction is in a radial direction of the steering shaft and a moving member that slides on the guide member. In a state where a center of rotation of the steering link part coincides with the driving shaft of the outer wheel part, a rotating shaft provided corresponding to the steering shaft is attached rotatably to the corresponding moving member at a position separated from the steering shaft by a predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Osaka UniversityInventors: Taro Maeda, Hideyuki Ando
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Patent number: 8746377Abstract: An electric utility cart to assist in transportation and hauling various items is disclosed. The utility cart includes a handle with a throttle to control the speed of the cart during use. A single 360° rotatable front wheel in combination with a pair of wide rear wheels which are joined to a differential allows the cart to turn in tight circles. A directional switch proximate the handle allows the user to drive the cart in either a forward or rearward direction. An auxiliary rack can be mounted on the cart as needed for carrying surf boards or other large items. A hitch rod allows the cart to be suspended and transported by a conventional vehicle such as a car, SUV or pickup truck having a typical tubular hitch.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Blue Comet Ventures, LLCInventor: Chris T. Dunbar
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Patent number: 8607914Abstract: A rear suspension of a three-wheeled car with two front wheels and one rear wheel installed in the car body frame may include a pair of roll links that may be connected to the front wheels and twists as the car turns, and a roll connector that pivots around a shaft as the roll links twist, and a knuckle assembly, which may be joined to a rear wheel, installed in the rear end of the car body frame, and connected to a roll connector so that it turns left and right as the roll connector turns, wherein the knuckle assembly turns in the same direction the front wheels turn.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Sang-Hoon Lee, Jae-Kil Lee
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Publication number: 20130256048Abstract: An electric powered personal mobility vehicle that includes at least one front wheel and an electric motor that provides rotational force to a wheel of the vehicle. The electric motor is supported by the vehicle and is powered by a rechargeable battery that is also supported by the vehicle. The vehicle can also include swivel caster wheels each configured to rotate about a wheel axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: RAZOR USA, LLCInventors: Robert Chen, Robert Hadley, William Griggs
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Patent number: 8544587Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame with a frame sidewall providing a substantially flat surface, with recesses in the flat surface. Alignment arms have inner ends and outer ends, where the inner ends are mounted to the frame sidewall, and the outer ends mount a wheel hub. The inner ends have couplings with pivotal portions and fixed portions, the pivotal portions being at least partially positioned within the recesses, and the fixed portions being attached to the substantially flat surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: James A. J. Holroyd, Gustavo A. Aramayo, Brian T. Utter, Jason J. Hohenstein, Vittorio Tomolillo, Mark Alan Ziliak
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Patent number: 8505668Abstract: An electric two/three-wheeled vehicle includes: a battery case which houses a battery supplying electric power to an electric motor; a leg shield which covers, from a front, legs of a rider sitting on a riding seat; a cooling air inlet duct which has a downstream end portion thereof connected to the battery case; and a cooling fan which introduces cooling air into the battery case through the cooling air inlet duct. In the electric two/three-wheeled vehicle, an opening (90) open toward a rear of the vehicle is provided in the leg shield (43), and an upstream end of the cooling air inlet duct (88) is connected to the leg shield (43) in such a manner as to continue to the opening (90). Accordingly, it is possible to cool a battery while preventing entry of dust into a battery case as much as possible.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Iwakami, Kaori Goto, Yusaku Yamashita
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Patent number: 8471722Abstract: A direction indicator system includes: an electromagnetic drive actuator that has a moving part that can slide back and forth, side to side, and diagonally; and a drive controlling unit that controls the sliding direction of the moving part, based on direction indicating information that is supplied from the outside.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Fujitsu Component LimitedInventors: Masahiro Kaneko, Satoshi Sakurai, Nobuo Yatsu, Takuya Uchiyama, Yuriko Segawa
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Publication number: 20130098695Abstract: An electric vehicle which includes in-wheel motor driving devices and an independent-steering apparatus and is capable of making pivot turns within a minimum-required parking space, having a structure without a chassis and a part of the body protruding out of a minimum-required circular space necessary for the wheels to make pivot turning. In a case where the electric vehicle has four wheels including left and right front wheels and left and right rear wheels, an in-wheel motor driving device is incorporated only in the left and right front wheels, only in the left and right rear wheels, or in all of the wheels. An independent-steering apparatus serves for all of the wheels. A kingpin axis in each of the wheels makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle inboard of a vehicle chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Chinami Itou, Yoshinori Itakura, Minoru Suzuki, Hiromichi Bando
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Patent number: 8397854Abstract: A drive wheel and suspension for a vehicle for mounting on a steering post to provide both a steering capability and propulsion to the vehicle. The drive wheel and suspension provides a spring suspension for that wheel of the vehicle, as well as what is effectively vehicle body mounting of the propulsion system so as to minimize un-sprung weight and to provide a compact assembly to support a suitable aesthetic and protective fender over the drive wheel and suspension.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: T3 Motion, Inc.Inventors: Ki Y. Nam, Richard Taras, Hung Pham
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Patent number: 8381860Abstract: A truck includes at least three steered wheels (5, 6, 7) that are mounted on a chassis (1). The arrangement of the wheels relative to the chassis (1) is predetermined to increase the stability of the truck during the pivoting of the steered wheels (5, 6) and to protect the wheels in frontal mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Manitou BFInventor: Michel Noyer
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Patent number: 8356686Abstract: Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Inventor: Ali Kermani
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Publication number: 20120175856Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame having a front portion and a rear portion, an operator's seat coupled to the frame, a front wheel steerably coupled to the front portion of the frame, a first rear wheel coupled to the rear portion of the frame, a second rear wheel coupled to the rear portion of the frame, an engine coupled to the rear portion of the frame and configured to drive the first rear wheel, and a wheelchair platform located at least partially between the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel and configured to accept a wheelchair placed in a position at least partially straddling the engine. The front portion of the frame may be rotatably coupled to the rear portion. The vehicle may further include a body, a lean angle limiting system, and/or an active lean angle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2010Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventor: Robert Ellis
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Publication number: 20120024612Abstract: A light-weight vehicle component such as a vehicle chassis (100) formed from an internally reinforced rigid closed-cell foam (12). The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis (100) includes an outer layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108a), an inner layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108c), and one or more layers of reinforcing structural material (114) disposed between the inner and outer layers of foam. The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis incorporates reinforced attachment points (114a) for receiving and supporting vehicle components, such as suspension elements, steering components, a drive motor, and passenger accommodations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventor: Lon R. Ballard
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Patent number: 8104583Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a power unit, a mast assembly and a fluid supply system. The mast assembly is coupled to the power unit. The mast assembly comprises a weldment, a movable element and a ram/cylinder assembly coupled to the movable element to effect movement of the element. The fluid supply system includes manifold apparatus and at least one fluid line coupled to the manifold apparatus and the ram/cylinder assembly. The manifold apparatus provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the ram/cylinder assembly via the fluid line to raise the movable element. The manifold apparatus is mounted to the mast assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Craig J. Rekow, Ryan R. Berger, Thornton K. Lothrop, Roger J. Quinlan, Jr., William C. Jones, Jr.
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Patent number: 7870922Abstract: A forklift truck (10) comprising a truck body, a fork mechanism at one end of the body, and at least one wheel (18) at an opposite end of the body, said at least one wheel (18) being mounted on the body for translational movement relative to the body between a working position and a storage position.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Moffett Research & Development LimitedInventors: Martin McVicar, Robert Moffett, Meredith Hall, Mark Whyte
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Patent number: 7823675Abstract: Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Inventor: Ali Kermani
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Publication number: 20100187035Abstract: An electric golf bag cart includes a cart body unit having at least one first engaging portion, a pair of rear wheel units connected to the cart body unit, an electrically operable power front wheel unit coupled to the cart body unit and electrically operable to cooperate with the rear wheel units for moving the cart body unit on a ground surface, and a battery unit having at least one second engaging portion that is coupled detachably to the first engaging portion of the cart body unit, and connected electrically to the power front wheel unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: MACAUTO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTDInventor: Paul Lin
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Patent number: 7712558Abstract: The invention is a transporter for moving a rolltainer, a trolley, and various other multi-wheeled containers that roll on a surface. The transporter utilizes lever-assisted rotating forks to lift and position the container to provide maximum traction, stability, and safety. The transporter utilizes hub motors for increased maneuverability and to eliminate drivetrain elements. The transporter is configured to keep transporter structure between the operator and the load during al operative modes to maximize operator safety.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: MH Logistics Corp.Inventors: Bart Helson, James Martin