Terrain Slope Compensation Patents (Class 280/6.154)
  • Patent number: 11958448
    Abstract: A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. MacArthur, Shigenori Shibata, Corey Zwegers, Rachel M. Menchak, Claudia A. Ma, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Patent number: 11932073
    Abstract: A telehandler comprising: a chassis; an axle supporting the chassis; a pivotal connection between the axle and the chassis; and a chassis positioning system. The pivotal connection is configured to enable rotation of the chassis relative to the axle for varying a chassis-axle tilt angle defined between a longitudinal axis of the axle and the chassis. The chassis positioning system comprises: a chassis angle sensor configured to measure an angular position of the chassis relative to gravity; an actuator configured to rotate the chassis relative to the axle at the pivotal connection; and a control system configured, in a first mode, to control the actuator to thereby control the chassis-axle tilt angle based on the measured angular position of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Jonathan Mountford-Lister
  • Patent number: 11686065
    Abstract: A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper swiveling body that is rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, and a controller configured to perform straight facing control by which an actuator is operated to cause the upper swiveling body to face a target construction surface straight, based on information related to the target construction surface and information related to a direction of the upper swiveling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeya Izumikawa, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11638481
    Abstract: The application relates to a smart cabinet. The smart cabinet includes a cabinet body, a moving module, a controlling module and an assisting module. The moving module is positioned in the cabinet body; the controlling module is connected to the moving module. The moving module includes a base, a guiding wheel group disposed on the base, a plurality of drivers pivotally connected with the guiding wheel group, and a manipulator disposed on the base. The controlling module includes an input control unit, a guiding rope, and a pulley group. The input control module is electrically connected with the drivers and the manipulator. The pulley group includes a plurality of pulleys defining a movement range for the moving module. The assisting module includes a rope retractor and a sensor electrically coupled to the rope retractor. Two ends of the guiding rope are coupled to the rope retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ZEZHI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICE
    Inventors: Zhihong Peng, Rui Liu
  • Patent number: 11491989
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, at least one wheel includes an annular tire that rotates to drive the vehicle body along a main driving direction, a wheel gear disposed on an inner surface of the tire, and an in-wheel actuator that is connected to the wheel gear and that rotates to rotate the tire, and positioning devices that are fixed to the vehicle body and that rotate the at least one wheel relative to the vehicle body to change positions of the at least one wheel relative to the vehicle body, the at least one wheel being coupled to at least one positioning device so as to be rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hun Keon Ko, Eun Ho Seo, Joo Young Chun, Jun Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 11376917
    Abstract: This oscillating axle (3) for a lifting device (1) comprises an axle bridge (5) at the ends of which are mounted two ground connection members (7), an oscillation axis (X3), a left jack (9) and a right jack (11), each jack (9, 11) having a rod (90, 110) in contact with the bridge (5) and a body (92, 112) fixed on a fixed part (13) of a chassis (2) of the lifting device (1), the body (92, 112) forming a chamber (94, 114) in which the rod (90, 110) moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HAULOTTE GROUP
    Inventors: Alexandre Simon, Rémy Cognet
  • Patent number: 11358430
    Abstract: A suspension system for a work vehicle includes a first cylinder having a piston side, a second cylinder having a piston side, and a first valve connected to the first and second cylinders, which extend and retract during a roll condition of the suspension system. The first valve selectively enables and restricts fluid flow between the piston side of the first cylinder and the piston side of the second cylinder to adjust a roll resistance of the suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Tebbe, Thomas Butts, David Rix
  • Patent number: 11259463
    Abstract: A slope mower includes a mower body, drive wheels, left and right mower decks and left and right support wheels mounted on support arms pivotally mounted to the mower body with hydraulic actuators acting on the left and right support arms to maintain the mower body vertical. An inclinometer measures the tilt angle of the mower body and a controller reads the angle and controls a leveling valve to supply hydraulic fluid from a supply line to the leveling actuator toward which the inclinometer indicates the mower body is leaning to move the mower body back to vertical. The system can be programmed to actuate a leveling actuator only when the detected tilt angle exceeds a minimum angle. Lockout valves can be actuated by the controller to block the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from both actuators if a maximum allowed tilt angle is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey A. Leis, Cole J. Howard, Mark Kiner
  • Patent number: 11247524
    Abstract: A vehicle axle (10), including: a left axle (12L), a first side thereof being pivotally connected (50L) to a left wheel hub (14L); a right axle (12R), a first side thereof being pivotally connected (50R) to a right wheel hub (14R); a connector (20), disposed between second sides of the left (12L) and right (12R) axles for pivotally (28) connecting therebetween, for allowing pivotal motion therebetween; a first mechanism (52A,52B) for allowing and disallowing the pivotal motion between the left (12L) and right (12R) axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: Gil Zohar, Eyal Eliyahu Ashkenazi
  • Patent number: 10961667
    Abstract: A paver includes a main vehicle body and a set of fore-wheels. The set of fore-wheels is connected to the main vehicle body via a hydraulic wheel suspension system which, in at least a paving mode of the paver, allows hydraulic level compensation for each wheel of the set of fore-wheels. The paver further includes a hydraulic motion control assembly adapted to selectively provide hydraulic spring suspension and/or hydraulic dampening to at least one wheel of the set of fore-wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Roland Wiktor
  • Patent number: 10926601
    Abstract: A method of tilting a vehicle is provided, and a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a tilt control system to control the tilt of the vehicle. The method includes tilting the tilting vehicle and/or another tilting vehicle in response to at least one external trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Filip Krnja, Bruce Southey, Emma Lundgren, Andrew John Murray
  • Patent number: 10906173
    Abstract: The application relates to a smart cabinet. The smart cabinet includes a cabinet body, a moving module, a controlling module and an assisting module. The moving module is positioned in the cabinet body; the controlling module is connected to the moving module. The moving module includes a base, a guiding wheel group disposed on the base, a plurality of drivers pivotally connected with the guiding wheel group, and a manipulator disposed on the base. The controlling module includes an input control unit, a guiding rope, and a pulley group. The input control module is electrically connected with the drivers and the manipulator. The pulley group includes a plurality of pulleys defining a movement range for the moving module. The assisting module includes a rope retractor and a sensor electrically coupled to the rope retractor. Two ends of the guiding rope are coupled to the rope retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ZEZHI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICE
    Inventor: Zhihong Peng
  • Patent number: 10843519
    Abstract: An independent front axle suspension preferably includes a front drive axle, an upper suspension frame, a lower suspension frame, a pair of hydraulic cylinders and a pair of pivot plates. A front pivot plate is attached to a front and middle of the front drive axle and a rear pivot plate is attached to a rear and middle of the front drive axle. A rear of the upper suspension frame is pivotally engaged with a rear of the lower suspension frame. A front and rear of the front drive axle is pivotally retained in the lower suspension frame with the pair of pivot plates. One end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing sides of the upper suspension frame. An opposing end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing ends of the front drive axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: ZOOMLION HEAVY INDSUTRY NA, INC., ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Edgar N. Calago, Gregory M. Downs, Alan D. Nickel
  • Patent number: 10800310
    Abstract: A trailer tipper features multi-use tilt sensors for automating leveling and tipping operations. In an example, a computerized method for controlling operation of a trailer tipper is disclosed. The trailer tipper includes a frame at least partially supported relative to a ground surface by a set of outriggers. The trailer tipper further includes a tipping platform that is rotatable relative to the frame about a hinge axis. The computerized method includes a plurality of operations that may be used to at least partially automate leveling and tipping operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Williams
  • Patent number: 10517208
    Abstract: In a mower provided with a center pivot axle 12, a control unit 1 controls a height adjusting mechanism 19 for a mowing unit 16 so that a grass cutting height is increased from an initial level when an absolute value of a roll angle of the center pivot axle relative to a vehicle body has exceeded a first roll angle threshold value. A cutting blade 21 is stopped when the absolute value of the roll angle has exceeded a fourth roll angle threshold value which is greater than the first roll angle threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Kuriyagawa, Hajime Yoshimura, Norikazu Shimizu, Shota Tanabe
  • Patent number: 9516808
    Abstract: The grass mower includes a front wheel unit having a left front wheel and a right front wheel which are mounted to a vehicle body frame, a rear wheel unit having a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel which are mounted to the vehicle body frame and a mower unit disposed between the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit downwardly of the vehicle body frame, the mower unit including a rotary blade unit that has at least a left blade and a right blade which are disposed side by side in a vehicle body left/right direction. The rotary blade unit is configured such that a tread-on track of the left front wheel is overlapped with a rotation locus portion of the left blade from the front side to the rear side thereof and a tread-on track of the right front wheel is overlapped with a rotation locus portion of the right blade from the front side to the rear side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Takaoka, Masato Asahara, Motosumi Shiotsuki, Hideki Aoki, Kazuaki Nogami, Akira Minoura
  • Patent number: 9010770
    Abstract: Various embodiments, aspects and features of the present invention encompass a system and method for an adjustable chassis system (“ACS”) that may be removably fixed to a payload object so that transport of the object across rough or uneven terrain is made less burdensome. Notably, some embodiments of an ACS may be integral to a given payload object. Certain embodiments of an adjustable chassis system advantageously do not include axles, yet may be raised or lowered to adjust ground clearance of the chassis and payload object. Moreover, certain embodiments of an ACS may be easily disassembled or collapsed for compact storage. Yet another advantage of certain ACS embodiments is that, by virtue of the independent side-to-side height adjustment, a payload object carried by the ACS may serve as a level seat or work surface over inclined or uneven ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Brian Cantrell
  • Patent number: 8919789
    Abstract: A combine harvester has a suspension axle assembly supporting the rear end of the chassis of the harvester. Side frames of the chassis direct loading down to a transverse axle through a pair of suspension devices interposed between the side frames and the axle. The suspension devices are resilient and expandable to cushion the chassis and to provide changes in the fore-and-aft attitude of the combine. The suspension devices may be independently operated to tilt the axle relative to the chassis, and provision is made for shifting the axle longitudinally, side-to-side of the chassis to facilitate turning of the steerable rear ground wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Darren J. Nelson, Nicholas H Williams, Mark L. Cozine
  • Patent number: 8818700
    Abstract: The motor vehicle of the invention is provided with at least three wheels and includes a driving cab capable of accommodating a single person in the width direction. The motor vehicle comprises a bend-balancing means that acts by the inclination of at least the portion of the chassis that bears the driving cab. According to the invention, the vehicle is also provided with speed, acceleration and/or inclination sensors, and the balancing means are automatically controlled when the information supplied by the sensors is lower than a main predetermined threshold. The invention also provides that the automatic control of the balancing means is deactivated when the information provided by the sensors is higher than said main threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Moulene, Thierry Moulene
  • Patent number: 8740229
    Abstract: A zero turning radius vehicle is disclosed having a power transmission operatively and independently engaged to each one of at least two driven wheels, and including at least one caster, supporting a portion of said vehicle weight, rotatably connected to the vehicle whereby the caster is operatively biased while the vehicle is operating at a side angle such that the caster neutralizes the gravitational force that would tend to drive the vehicle downward when traversing a slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: William D. Ellsworth
  • Patent number: 8596660
    Abstract: A three-wheeled motor vehicle includes a main body, two shafts, two wheel bases, a blocking structure fixed to the main body and a linkage module. Each shaft has first, second and third pivot points. The third pivot point between the first and second pivot points is pivoted to the main body. One wheel base is pivoted to the first pivot points. The other wheel base is pivoted to the second pivot points. The wheel bases and the shafts form a parallelogram four bar mechanism. The linkage module is coupled between the main body and the parallelogram four bar mechanism. When the main body tilts as the three-wheeled motor vehicle turning, the linkage module changes from a first state to a second state to drive the wheel bases to tilt. The linkage module in the second state leans against the blocking structure to limit the tilt range of the wheel bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Mau-Pin Hsu, Hsin-Wei Su, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 8585064
    Abstract: A crop sprayer includes a pivoting axle suspension assembly that includes a bolster assembly secured between the frame rails of the main frame of the crop sprayer. The bolster assembly includes formed tube members that support a bearing structure for pivotably coupling a pivot pin of a pivot axle to the main frame. The tube members are curved downwardly from the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ET Works, LLC
    Inventors: Chad A Ringer, Justin Honegger, Ryan Larsh, Jarrett Waters
  • Patent number: 8459662
    Abstract: A mowing apparatus having a center of gravity having a frame member, at least one front ground engaging wheel rotatably connected proximate the front end of the frame member and at least two rear ground engaging wheels rotatably connected proximate the back end of the frame member so as to substantially prevent the mowing apparatus from rolling over as it traverses along an inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Baird
  • Patent number: 8444156
    Abstract: A trailer including a plurality of rearwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of said main frame, each of which includes a tandem with a plurality of wheels mounted thereto; a U-shaped cross member for maintaining said main frame level from side to side; at least one length-adjustable member operatively connected to said main frame and at least one of said plurality of frame arms; selective movement of said length-adjustable member causing said distal end of at least one of said plurality of frame arms to move up or down; and an automatic leveling system for moving each said length-adjustable members and each said corresponding frame arm such that said main frame is maintained in a relatively level orientation when said trailer encounters uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Herman Madler, James R. Madler
  • Patent number: 8417425
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving the stability of a payload of granular material loaded onto the bed of a vehicle that will traverse at least one grade is disclosed. The bed of the vehicle may be coupled to a hoist mechanism which may be linked to a controller with a memory for entering a value for the grade the vehicle may traverse while carrying the payload on the bed. The controller may send a signal to the hoist mechanism to tilt the bed to a tilted position having an angle about the value of the grade. An optional tilt support mechanism may be used to engage and support the bed after the bed has been tilted by the hoist mechanism to support the bed in the tilted position while the bed is loaded with the granular material. The hoist mechanism can be used to move the bed back to the horizontal position after the payload has been deposited on the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gustavo Fortmann
  • Patent number: 8408657
    Abstract: A bed leveling system for a dump truck to prevent an imbalance of the truck bed during unloading of material. The system controls the side to side tilt of the truck bed and returns that bed to a generally level orientation when the bed tilt exceeds a predetermined angle. The truck bed is pivotally affixed to the truck chassis through a hinge pin. Thus, the tilting of the dump bed is carried out by a hydraulic system that changes the tilt of the hinge pin. The leveling system includes a cylindrical tube that supports the hinge pin and which is rotatable with respect to the chassis. A roll cylinder rotates the cylindrical tube to change the tilt angle of the hinge pin. A tilt sensor senses the out of level orientation of the truck bed and activates the leveling system to bring the bed back to a generally level orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Michael R. Foisie
  • Patent number: 8342280
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Patrizio Turco, Michele Ieluzzi
  • Patent number: 8306696
    Abstract: A method and system for positioning a vehicle chassis in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum are provided. The vehicle includes a first longitudinal end adapted to be pivotally connected to a substantially fixed point and a second longitudinal end including at least one axle and an operatively associated two-corner fluid suspension system. According to the method, the fluid suspension system controls the alignment of the vehicle chassis to be aligned with an artificial horizon represented as the predetermined datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Driveright Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Holbrook, Joseph A. Bounds
  • Patent number: 8262101
    Abstract: A rough terrain vehicle including an elongated main frame for supporting a self-contained v-haul body; first and second forwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of the main frame; third and fourth rearwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of the main frame, each arm having a wheel mounted thereon. Also included are first and second cross members pivotably connected to the arms configured to enable the main frame and the frame arms to pivot about a lengthwise axis of the main frame. First and second length-adjustable member operatively connected to the first frame arm and the third frame arm and the second frame arm and the fourth frame arm, respectively; selective movement of each length-adjustable member causing the associated arm to move up or down; and a level detector for producing and applying leveling signals to each of the length-adjustable members to maintain the elongated main frame in a relatively level orientation when the vehicle encounters uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Herman Madler, James R. Madler
  • Patent number: 8261869
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Patrizio Turco, Michele Ieluzzi
  • Patent number: 8180532
    Abstract: The present invention provides a leveling control system for a forestry machine (10) employing position sensors that relay information about the orientation of the carriage (12) in relation to the swing-house assembly (14) in order to control roll and pitch in a manner that maximizes the operating envelop of the leveling mechanism (38). The angles of pitch and roll of the swing-house assembly (14) in relation to the carriage (12) are measured and/or calculated and a controller (24) limits operation of the leveling mechanism (38) to an operating envelop that may be described in terms of pitch and droll. The cylinders (54, 56) are decelerated gradually as the operating envelop is approached. The controller (24) can include an automatic leveling mode. The controller (24) can change the function of the fore, aft, left and right operator controls so that they are true from the operator's frame of reference regardless of the rotary position of the cab relative to the carriage (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James O'Halloran, Daniel Schulz
  • Patent number: 8145392
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an automatic leveling of heavy equipment. The system, in which a lower frame having a traveling unit and an upper frame are combined together by a tilting unit, includes a sensor unit, provided in the equipment, for sensing twist angles of the lower frame and the upper frame against a reference horizontal surface and a traveling speed of the equipment. A control unit receives the twist angles and the traveling speed, sets a limit of an operation time for the automatic leveling in a standstill state of the equipment while calculating a corrected angle to which a twist angle of the upper frame is to be corrected, without setting the limit of the operation time for the automatic leveling, in a traveling state of the equipment, and generates a control signal for instructing an operation of a tilting unit in accordance with the corrected angle. A driving unit performs a tilting control through the tilting unit in accordance with the received control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holdings Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jin Seop Kim, Chang Soo Lee, In Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8079892
    Abstract: A toy automobile includes wheels, axles connecting the wheels, a holding plate, a control circuit, a sensor, and struts and drive trains corresponding to the wheels. Each strut includes a pivoting strut and a support strut pivoted to each other, one ends of the pivoting strut and the support strut are slidably mounted on the axles. The other end of the support strut slidably resist at the bottom surface of the holding plate. Each drive train is connected with another end of the pivoting strut. When the holding plate is tilted relative to a horizontal reference plane, the control circuit controls the drive trains to drive the pivoting struts at a lower end of the holding plate, the pivoting struts rotate and lift the support struts correspondingly, thus to lift the lower end and make the holding plate parallel to the horizontal reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kui-Jun Wang, Feng-Xiang Tang
  • Patent number: 8070170
    Abstract: A machine (A) includes a frame (16) and a platform (58) on which a boom assembly (B) is mounted. Two arms (332) of a U-shaped pivotal member (330) are pivotably mounted to the frame (16) about a first pivot axis (380) perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the frame (16). A front end (302) of a mounting plate (310) is pivotably connected to an intermediate section (336) of the pivotal member (330) about a second pivot axis (382) perpendicular to and spaced from the first pivot axis (380). Two rams (400) are mounted on opposite sides of a rear end (304) of the mounting plate (310). Each ram (400) includes a lower end (404) pivotably connected to the frame (16) and an upper end (402) pivotably connected to one of the sides of the mounting plate (310). The boom assembly (B), the mounting plate (310), and the pivotal member (330) pivot about the first pivot axis (380) and/or the second pivot axis (382) relative to the frame (16) due to relative movement of the rams (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Timberpro, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Lee Crawford
  • Patent number: 8056677
    Abstract: This lift system serves as a powered ladder having a small footprint. The system is divided into two subchasses with a mast fixedly attached to a first subchassis for support of a liftable platform which may carry a human operator. Maneuverability is accomplished by a virtual articulating joint between the two subchasses. The joint comprises hydraulic cylinders operating in conjunction with wheel struts to form a three-point support. Articulation enables the lift system to be adjusted on sloped or uneven terrain to maintain the mast in a vertical orientation. One use of the lift system is to carry a fruit picker into an orchard or vineyard and to position the picker to work efficiently. The lift system may carry a robot and may be controlled either locally or remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Roberts Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Roberts, Fred K. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8042817
    Abstract: A self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle includes a height-adjustable chassis with an axle and a driven wheel hub. The axle is shiftable between a normal clearance position above the wheel hub and a relatively higher elevated clearance position. The chassis further includes a kingpin and a spacer section that is removably connectable to the kingpin. The axle is in the normal clearance position when the spacer is removed from the kingpin and is in the elevated clearance position when the spacer is connected to the kingpin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Vijay W. Motebennur, James Slawson, John Buchena
  • Patent number: 8028783
    Abstract: A tilt apparatus and method for operating it is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Felix Edward Joseph Rust
  • Patent number: 8025340
    Abstract: A bed leveling system for a dump truck to prevent an imbalance of the truck bed during unloading of material. The system controls the side to side tilt of the truck bed and returns that bed to a generally level orientation when the bed tilt exceeds a predetermined angle. The truck bed is pivotally affixed to the truck chassis through a hinge pin. Thus, the tilting of the dump bed is carried out by a hydraulic system that changes the tilt of the hinge pin. The leveling system includes a cylindrical tube that supports the hinge pin and which is rotatable with respect to the chassis. A roll cylinder rotates the cylindrical tube to change the tilt angle of the hinge pin. A tilt sensor senses the out of level orientation of the truck bed and activates the leveling system to bring the bed back to a generally level orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Michael R. Foisie
  • Patent number: 7946596
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a front wheel, a rear wheel and a tilting mechanism. The front wheel, the rear wheel and the tilting mechanism are disposed on the vehicle body. The tilting mechanism comprises a first compensation unit, a first arm, a first wheel, a second compensation unit, a second arm, a second wheel, at least one pipe and a fluid. The first arm is connected to the first compensation unit, and the first wheel. The second arm is connected to the second compensation unit, and the second wheel. The pipe connects the first compensation unit to the second compensation unit. The fluid flows in the first compensation unit, the second compensation unit and the pipe, wherein when the motor vehicle tilts, an extension length of the first compensation unit equals to a compression length of the second compensation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Mau-Pin Hsu, Chia-Ming Wu, Chia-En Lee, Ta-Chan Peng
  • Patent number: 7946371
    Abstract: A snowmobile suspension for allowing snowmobiles to more easily manage curves and moguls without the skis riding on their edges. The snowmobile suspension includes a base member being attached to a chassis of a snowmobile, and also includes a biased pivot assembly being supported by the base member and being attached to a body of the snowmobile to allow the body of the snowmobile to biasedly pivot relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin F. Cichon
  • Patent number: 7866671
    Abstract: An automatic leveling vehicle comprising a front frame section and a rear frame section interconnected by a swivel joint which permits pivotable movement of the front frame section relative to the rear frame section about a generally horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle, a gear train attached to the rear frame section, right and left rear wheel assemblies, right and left rear axle assemblies operatively interconnecting the gear train, a lever arm connected to the gear train for controlling the position of the rear axle assemblies, selective movement of the lever arm causing the right and left rear axle assemblies to move their associated wheel assemblies up or down in opposite directions, a level detector for producing and applying leveling signals for positioning a lever arm control such that the rear frame section is maintained in a relatively level orientation when the rear wheel assemblies encounter an uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Herman Madler
  • Patent number: 7832740
    Abstract: A leveling apparatus for excavator and forestry machine equipment. The leveling apparatus is mounted between an upper swing structure and a lower frame formed on a lower driving structure including a swing bearing, left and right track chassis, and a front arm and a rear arm connected to upper parts of the track chassis. The leveling apparatus can keep a horizontal level of the upper swing structure against an inclined ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventors: In Woo Kim, Young Ok Park
  • Patent number: 7828309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a road-building machine whose left front wheel (4) or caterpillar, right front wheel (6) or caterpillar, left rear wheel (8) or caterpillar and right rear wheel (10) or caterpillar are connected to the road-building machine chassis by means of an actuating element and are height-adjustable with respect to the road-building machine frame. According to said invention, different actuating elements are rigidly connected to the road-building machine chassis and forcedly coupled to each other in such a way that the left front wheel (4) or caterpillar and the right rear wheel (10) or caterpillar are height-adjustable in the same direction and with respect to the right front wheel (6) or caterpillar and the left rear wheel (8) or caterpillar are adjustable in the opposite directions. The all wheels (4, 6, 8, 10) or caterpillars are equally height-adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Simons, Markus Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7748203
    Abstract: An implement for negotiating sloped hillsides having a front carriage with a rigid axle that stays oriented to the slope of the ground being traversed. The front axle and drive assembly has two opposing tilt connections which allow hydraulic or other operators on the opposite side of the implement to extend and tilt the implement body to maintain a level condition. This arrangement keeps the center of gravity lower and positions the points of load application to the axle assembly nearer the ends of the axle and adjacent to the wheels and tires or other ground contacting drive. The operator on one side is contracted when the opposing operator is to be extended. One operator is used to tilt in one direction and the opposing tilt operator is used to tilt in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignees: The Factory Company International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Solbrack, Scott D. Schafer
  • Patent number: 7744099
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a leveled height of the sprung mass of a vehicle that is in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is disclosed. The method includes approximately aligning the sprung mass with the predetermined datum, receiving an input from an operator for changing the height of the sprung mass and adjusting the height of the sprung mass while maintaining approximate alignment with the predetermined datum. A system for performing the method is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Driveright Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Holbrook
  • Patent number: 7735574
    Abstract: A motor grader has an ordinary direction of travel, has a forward end and a rearward end as defined by the ordinary direction of travel, and has two opposed sides. At least one set of front wheels is steerably mounted on the opposed sides of the motor grader adjacent the forward end, with one front wheel in each set mounted on each opposed side of the motor grader. At least one front wheel in each set of front wheels is movably mounted to the motor grader and can be selectively positioned such that each front wheel on one side of the motor grader is further away from the rearward end than the other front wheel in that set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Volvo Road Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: William James Smart, Edward McGugan
  • Patent number: 7726665
    Abstract: A suspension system for an agricultural or construction industry vehicle is described. The suspension system comprises two hydraulic cylinders, which support a frame in relation to an axle of the vehicle, the hydraulic cylinders each having a piston-side chamber and a piston rod-side chamber and each of the chambers of the hydraulic cylinders being connectable to one another via connecting lines provided with a switch valve, a first supply line, which can be connected via a switch valve to the piston-side connecting line of the first hydraulic cylinder, a second supply line, which can be connected via a switch valve to the piston-side connecting line of the second hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic accumulator, in each case connectable to the supply lines via proportionally adjustable orifices, a hydraulic source, a hydraulic tank, a control valve device, and an electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Marcus Bitter
  • Patent number: 7722056
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve the utility of an electromagnetic absorber system which is disposed in a suspension system of a vehicle and which generates a damping force by a generation force of a motor. The electromagnetic absorber system 18 is equipped with high-speed-motion responding means, thereby obviating an insufficiency of the damping force and a deterioration of the controllability in a high-speed stroke motion. More specifically, a hydraulic absorber 64 is provided in combination with the electromagnetic absorber system such that the hydraulic absorber 64 operates in the high-speed motion in which an electromotive force of the motor 68 exceeds a power source voltage Further, two motors having mutually different T-N characteristics are provided, and the two motors are selectively operated depending upon a stroke speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Inoue, Takenari Yamaguchi, Takuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 7665742
    Abstract: A hydraulic system incorporated into a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of actuators for providing a desired configuration of a vehicle. A valve system is operatively coupled to the plurality of actuators for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid to the plurality of actuators to energize the actuators to produce, responsive to the desired configuration of the vehicle, a first configuration of a plurality of first configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle, or a second configuration of a plurality of second configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy A. Haerr, Gary C. Fulks, Michael C. Pfeil
  • Patent number: 7665749
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle is provided that allows for the vehicle body to be tilted wherein the tilt is controlled by the operator's legs in a manner that greatly enhances the stability of the vehicle while producing a fun vehicle to operate. Further, the bottom member of the suspension system is structured in a manner that provides storage capacity for installation of heavy items such as battery banks in order to preserve a lowered center of gravity for the vehicle. The tilting suspension may be used in the context of three-wheeled vehicle having a single rear drive tire and two forward wheels, but apply equally to a four wheeled vehicle as well as to water craft operating on pontoons or snow vehicles operating on skis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Wilcox