Wheel Tread Patents (Class 293/58)
  • Patent number: 12083823
    Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a retractable guard assembly coupled to a caster of a mobile equipment, comprising a housing and one or more guards at least partially disposed in the housing. The one or more guards are independently movably coupled to the housing. The retractable guard assembly further comprises corresponding one or more biasing elements coupled to the one or more guards and to the housing for biasing the one or more guards towards a fully deployed state. When the one or more guards are in the fully deployed state, contact between a fixed object and a portion of the one or more guards disposed outside the housing causes the one or more guards to transition into a retracted state, and when the contact is removed, the corresponding one or more biasing elements cause the one or more guards to transition into the fully deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon L. Spoelstra
  • Patent number: 11820170
    Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a retractable guard assembly coupled to a caster of a mobile equipment, comprising a housing and one or more guards at least partially disposed in the housing. The one or more guards are independently movably coupled to the housing. The retractable guard assembly further comprises corresponding one or more biasing elements coupled to the one or more guards and to the housing for biasing the one or more guards towards a fully deployed state. When the one or more guards are in the fully deployed state, contact between a fixed object and a portion of the one or more guards disposed outside the housing causes the one or more guards to transition into a retracted state, and when the contact is removed, the corresponding one or more biasing elements cause the one or more guards to transition into the fully deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon L. Spoelstra
  • Patent number: 11639158
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wheel shield apparatus that includes a pair of elongated parallel tube members in perpendicular engagement with a pair of short parallel tube members, at least one removable side of the wheel shield apparatus is operable to be temporarily opened or removed such that the wheel shield apparatus may be placed around a wheel of a neurosurgical microscope or some other type of heavy wheeled machinery and the removable side may be placed in a closed position such that the wheel shield surrounds the wheel. Each of the pair of elongated parallel tube members and/or each of the pair of short parallel tube members comprises a cavity configured to receive a ballast material to provide sufficient weight to ensure that the wheel shield apparatus contacts the floor such that cables along the floor are pushed out of the way by the wheel shield apparatus and prevented from being run over while the machinery is being transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Dignity Health
    Inventor: Gary Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10875552
    Abstract: A railcar bogie includes a wheelset, a bearing rotatably supporting the wheelset, an axle box, and an obstacle deflector. The wheelset includes: an axle and a pair of wheels provided at both car width direction sides of the axle. The axle box includes: an upper axle box element covering the bearing from above; and a lower axle box element fixed to the upper axle box element and covering the bearing from below. The obstacle deflector includes an obstacle deflecting portion and a coupling portion. The obstacle deflecting portion is arranged at one side of the wheel in a car longitudinal direction and, when viewed from the one side in the car longitudinal direction, overlaps the wheel. The coupling portion couples the obstacle deflecting portion to the axle box. The coupling portion of the obstacle deflector is fixed to a receiving seat provided at the upper axle box element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukitaka Taga, Fumikazu Kounoike, Yukihiro Sano, Takaya Ono
  • Patent number: 10766542
    Abstract: A fender for a lawn mower having tire and wheel assemblies that are mounted to a yoke of a swivel caster assembly, whereby the yoke pivots through 360 degrees of rotation, includes an arcuate fender body. The fender body is attached to the yoke by a bracket so that it is rotatably carried by the rotating yoke. As such, the fender body is maintained at an optimal position relative to the mower tire, and thereby provides desirable deflection of lawn clippings and other debris from the various operational components provided upon the mower deck. This prevents the premature wear of such operational components, thereby decreasing down time and reducing maintenance costs of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Mike Taylor
  • Patent number: 10207672
    Abstract: A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, includes a skirt extending below a side body portion of the vehicle and between front and rear wheels along a side of the vehicle. The skirt functions to push individuals and other animate objects out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for separate linear and arcuate movements relative to the body of the vehicle to protect the guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Mark B. Barron
  • Patent number: 9676367
    Abstract: A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, includes a skirt extending below a side body portion of the vehicle and between front and rear wheels along a side of the vehicle. The skirt functions to push individuals and other animate objects out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for separate linear and arcuate movements relative to the body of the vehicle to protect the guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Public Transportation Safety International Corp.
    Inventor: Mark B Barron
  • Patent number: 9469314
    Abstract: A running gear for a rail vehicle includes a wheel set, a running gear frame and a shielding device, the running gear frame being supported on the wheel set. The shielding device is connected to the running gear frame via a support structure and is spatially associated to at least a shielded component of the running gear. The shielding device shields a shielded part of the shielded component against impacts of objects lifted from a track used during operation of the vehicle. The shielding device has a carrier element and at least one impact element, the at least one impact element being mounted to the carrier element for covering the carrier element and forming an impact surface for said objects. The impact element has at least one load bearing structural element made from a fiber reinforced composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventor: Jan-Philipp Haas
  • Patent number: 9004554
    Abstract: A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, tractor trailer or the like-type vehicle, includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle that will function to push individuals and other animate objects lying in the path of the vehicle out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for telescoping movement to protect the safety guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Public Transportation Safety International Corp.
    Inventor: Mark B. Barron
  • Publication number: 20140097627
    Abstract: A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, tractor trailer or the like-type vehicle, includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle that will function to push individuals and other animate objects lying in the path of the vehicle out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for telescoping movement to protect the safety guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Public Transportation Safety International Corp.
    Inventor: Mark B. Barron
  • Patent number: 8602466
    Abstract: A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, tractor trailer or the like-type vehicle, includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle that will function to push individuals and other animate objects lying in the path of the vehicle out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for telescoping movement to protect the safety guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Public Transportation Safety International, Corp.
    Inventor: Mark B. Barron
  • Patent number: 8567802
    Abstract: A safety guard which functions to push objects lying in the path of a vehicle out of the path of the wheels of the vehicle, such as a school bus, for safety purposes includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle and is secured through a mounting plate unit to both a side panel and either a frame beam or floor board of the vehicle, with the frontal guard being supported in a cantilevered manner in front of the wheel. This configuration provides for a substantially universal mounting arrangement that can be particular advantageous in connection with school buses and other vehicles having underbody frame and support structure remote from the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Public Transportation Safety Int'l Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Bowen Barron
  • Patent number: 8505943
    Abstract: A safety guard which functions to push objects lying in the path of a vehicle out of the path of the wheels of the vehicle, such as a school bus, for safety purposes includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle and is mounted to a side panel of the vehicle such that the frontal guard is supported in a cantilevered manner in front of the wheel. This configuration provides for a substantially universal mounting arrangement that can be particular advantageous in connection with school buses and other vehicles which are not provided with underbody frame and support structure closely adjacent to the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Public Transportation Safety Int'l Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Bowen Barron
  • Publication number: 20120286528
    Abstract: A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, tractor trailer or the like-type vehicle, includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle that will function to push individuals and other animate objects lying in the path of the vehicle out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for telescoping movement to protect the safety guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Mark B. Barron
  • Publication number: 20120248799
    Abstract: A safety guard which functions to push objects lying in the path of a vehicle out of the path of the wheels of the vehicle, such as a school bus, for safety purposes includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle and is secured through a mounting plate unit to both a side panel and either a frame beam or floor board of the vehicle, with the frontal guard being supported in a cantilevered manner in front of the wheel. This configuration provides for a substantially universal mounting arrangement that can be particular advantageous in connection with school buses and other vehicles having underbody frame and support structure remote from the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY INTL. CORP.
    Inventor: Mark Bowen Barron
  • Publication number: 20110018289
    Abstract: A safety guard which functions to push objects lying in the path of a vehicle out of the path of the wheels of the vehicle, such as a school bus, for safety purposes includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle and is mounted to a side panel of the vehicle such that the frontal guard is supported in a cantilevered manner in front of the wheel. This configuration provides for a substantially universal mounting arrangement that can be particular advantageous in connection with school buses and other vehicles which are not provided with underbody frame and support structure closely adjacent to the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Public Transportation Safety Intl. Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Bowen Barron
  • Patent number: 7182375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fender including an offset light housing installed on a trailer or tow dolly for towing a vehicle or other piece of equipment. In a preferred embodiment the fender further includes a clearance increasing portion. The fenders minimize the possibility of damage to the vehicle or other piece of equipment. Also disclosed is a tow dolly including a tire platform that is positioned such that when an automobile is placed on the tow dolly, the axle of the automobile is positioned forwardly of the front-most axle of the tow dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Shoen
  • Patent number: 6152503
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle bumper which is capable of exerting an excellent shock-absorber against an external impact. The vehicle bumper of the present invention includes: a plurality of cushion tubes installed in the interior of a bumper casing and each having a hub wheel mounted in series on a horizontal axis; the horizontal axis adapted to be inserted through a rectangular hole formed on each front surfaces of a plurality of projection boards projected from a vehicle frame, to thereby have a predetermined distance on the rectangular hole; an axial rod adapted to be assembled on the both ends of the horizontal axis to thereby couple the plurality of cushion tubes in a horizontal state; and a tube frame adapted to be installed on the rear portion of the plurality of cushion tubes, for supporting each cushion tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: Jin-Kyu Jang, Jae-Hyok Jang
  • Patent number: 6007102
    Abstract: An adjustable wheel-well skirt system for fitting within wheel-well openings of a vehicle and covering the wheel-well openings and wheel-well cavities which are defined by the wheel-well openings. The wheel-well skirt system comprises a number of adjustable wheel-well skirts corresponding in number to the number of wheel-well openings of the vehicle. Each adjustable wheel-well skirt is sized and shaped substantially similar to the size and shape of the respective wheel-well opening it will engage. When secured to the vehicle, each adjustable wheel-well skirt fills the wheel-well opening, giving the vehicle a smooth, continuous appearance. A track extends from each adjustable wheel-well skirt and slideably engages a bracket which is mounted to the vehicle behind the wheel-well opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Herbert John Helmus
  • Patent number: 5836399
    Abstract: A wheel shield for a self-propelled sprayer includes a double wall plastic body with a profile designed to protect plants and provide smooth surfaces that resist build up of debris. A support and aligning rod assembly extending upwardly from the wheel hub includes locating pins to receive and initially support the plastic body so that mounting holes on the body sidewalls can be easily aligned with mating structure bracket structure on the wheel support. The inside wall of the body is connected to a bracket fixed to the wheel hub. A bearing is fixed to the outside wall of the body, and a mating hub mounting member is connected to the wheel hub. A bolt placed through the bearing and threaded into a nut fixed to the hub mounting member provides support for the body from the wheel hub without need for metal frames or similar supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Marvin Anthony Maiwald, Scott Charles Steege
  • Patent number: 5735560
    Abstract: A safety barrier (20) for a vehicle (22) includes a safety barrier portion (38, 100) for deflecting objects from the path of the wheels (24) of the vehicle (22). The safety barrier (20) further includes a wheel well molding (32, 66, 101) to prevent the placement of hands or limbs between the wheel well (26) and wheel (24) of the vehicle (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Public Transporation Safety Devices Corp.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bowen, Mims Bowen
  • Patent number: 5462324
    Abstract: A safety barrier for a vehicle includes a safety barrier portion for deflecting objects from the path of the wheels of the vehicle. The safety barrier further includes a wheel well molding to prevent the placement of hands or limbs between the wheel well and wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Public Transportation Safety Devices Corp.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bowen, Mims Bowen
  • Patent number: 5241780
    Abstract: A combination wheel shield and ladder for an agricultural vehicle such as a sprayer includes a deformable plastic body with a profile designed to control the path of deflection and to return the body to original shape after deflection. The shield is mounted on a steel framework also designed to help control deflection and assure return to the original shape. A bail limits maximum shield deflection and increases the strength of the framework. A ladder is incorporated into a plastic wheel shield extension A combination handle-step structure located above the wheel and special platform structure located on the drop axle provide convenient access to the operator's station for all adjusted positions of the drop axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Zaun, Michael L Pearson
  • Patent number: 4025099
    Abstract: A cable protecting device is attached to the wheel yoke of a cart equipped with swivel wheels. The device has a fender strap located forwardly of the cart wheel with same being connected to the wheel yoke at its upper end and further supported by a pair of braces at its lower end. A cable lifting plate is hinged to the lower end of the fender and extends to the floor level so that its leading end may receive and lift a cable encountered by the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Inventor: Herbert H. Virden