Patents Issued the Week of May 11-15

5.13.26

Patent Protection & Registration

Patents grant property rights on new and useful inventions, allowing the patent holder to prevent others from using, making, or selling that invention without permission for a limited time. U.S. patents are permitted by the U.S. Constitution and are designed to promote scientific progress and invention. By allowing inventors to profit from licensing or selling their patent rights, inventors can recoup their research and development costs and benefit financially from their inventing efforts. There are three main types of patents utility, plant, and design. Utility and plant patents can last up to 20 years, while design patents can last up to 15 years. When a patent expires, the patented material enters the public domain, making it free to use by anyone without a license. U.S. patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

U.S. Patent No. 12,626,538 entitled “Asset and Vehicle Coupling” issued May 12, 2026 to Webfleet Solutions B.V. of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Invented by Jan Schäfer, Jan Bast-Löffler, Martin Marenz, and Christian Meissner all of Leipzig, Germany. Abstract: An asset tracking system comprises a server (6), one or more first telematics devices (8) each carried by an asset, and one or more second telematics devices (10) each carried by a vehicle capable of transporting an asset. The server (6) comprises a communications device arranged to communicate with the one or more first and second telematics devices (8,10). Each first telematics device (8) is configured to transmit asset travel data (12) to the server (6), and each second telematics device (10) is configured to transmit vehicle travel data (14) to the server (6). Each of the asset travel data (12) and vehicle travel data (14) comprise a plurality of data travel points each comprising a time stamp, position and a further motion-related parameter. The one or more first and second telematics devices (8,10) are each configured to communicate independently with the communications device of the server (6).

U.S. Patent No. 12,623,422 entitled “Use of Injected Sealant to Improve Dynamic Tire Balance” issued May 12, 2026 to Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC of Nashville, Tennessee. Invented by John D. Clothiaux of Aiken, South Carolina. Abstract: A method of applying a sealant layer to an inner surface of a tire and a resulting tire are disclosed. Prior to sealant application first and second balance light spots on first and second sides of the tire are identified. A starting location for the sealant bead adjacent the first side of the tire is determined as a function of the location of the first balance light spot. An ending location for the sealant bead adjacent the second side of the tire is determined as a function of the location of the second balance light spot. Balance of the tire is improved by the application of the sealant layer.

U.S. Patent No. 12,623,669 entitled “Tire Analysis Method and System for Determining Characteristic Parameters of an Agricultural Tractor” issued May 12, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Juan Carlos Fernandez also of Zaventem, Belgium, and Antonio Fernandez and Maxim Gheorghe both of Madrid, Spain. Abstract: A tire analysis method and system for determining characteristic parameters of an agricultural tractor provided with two front wheels supporting two front tires and with two rear wheels supporting two rear tires. A first rotation sensor is mounted on a first wheel, a second rotation sensor is mounted on a second wheel; the agricultural tractor is driven along a straight path; while driving the agricultural tractor along the straight path, the total number of revolutions made by the first wheel and by the second wheel are measured; and at least one characteristic parameter is determined using the total number of revolutions made by the first wheel and by the second wheel.