Patents Assigned to Ultraflex S.p.A.
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Patent number: 10385910Abstract: A steering gear for boats includes a control member connected to a drive shaft of a transmission having at least two dynamically engaged transmission elements, in particular, an input element and an output element. The output element drives a motion transfer member of the control member transferring motion to an operating unit, such that any displacement/rotation of the control member is transferred to the transfer member through the transmission. The motion transfer member includes a pull and/or push cable and a coupling member that is slidably attached to the steering gear and has a plurality of coupling seats, at least one of which is designed to engage a corresponding coupling claw on the steering gear. The coupling member includes a sheath-like element in which the pull and/or push cable is configured to slide, and the coupling seats include two annular throats of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Walter Trivella
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Patent number: 10011342Abstract: A steering control system for a watercraft includes a pivoting steering tiller manually operated and operatively connected to a direction changing member acting on or into the water, such as a rudder blade or an outboard motor; and a system locking the steering tiller in the steering position, which can be activated for keeping the tiller in a predetermined pivoting position and deactivated for allowing the tiller to be moved in a pivoting position to carry out a change in direction. According to the invention the locking system is switchable by way of switching actuators that are controlled by a control member provided on the arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
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Patent number: 9771134Abstract: Device for controlling the trim of a boat including at least one trim tab element or the like, engaged to the transom of the boat by a hinge. At least one actuator is also provided, which is affixed to the transom by an upper terminal and to the tab by a lower terminal respectively through an upper joint and a lower joint. The lower joint includes at least two parts, of which a first part is connected to the lower terminal of the actuator and a second part includes a lower bracket affixed to the tab by fastener means, which are engaged in corresponding engagement seats on the lower bracket and the tab. The first part includes a terminal element, which is provided in a housing seat formed on the lower bracket, such to enable a relative movement of actuator and tab with at least two degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Marco Campagna, Giampiero Bressan
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Patent number: 9738366Abstract: Control device for generating auxiliary controls for a boat for controlling and regulating a boat handling auxiliary functionality, including an intermediate switch, changeover switch, or switch device located below the steering control member of the boat, which is connected to a drive unit for a steering actuator through a drive shaft; and a housing case shaped as an arm having at one end a member controlling the control device, which is provided with a terminal removably fastening alternatively to the casing holding the drive unit for the steering actuator, to a part thereof, or to a wall of a bridge or of a dashboard adjacently to the region for mounting the casing holding the drive unit for the steering actuator to the bridge or to the dashboard.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese, Enrico Pagani
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Patent number: 9676465Abstract: A hand-operated piston pump includes a drive shaft and a rotor mounted in a housing case, the rotor having axial compression chambers, a piston biased by an elastic member sliding in each compression chamber and having a projecting end that engages a cam track; a fluid reservoir in the housing case; a valve plate downstream of the rotor having conduits for a pressurized fluid that communicate with conduits in walls of the compression chambers, the valve plate being non-rotatably mounted below the housing case and communicating with conduits that carry the pressurized fluid to and from a consuming unit through an interposed check valve inserted in a corresponding valve body, the valve body having an upper flange with fluid supply and return channels communicating with the fluid conduits of the valve plate. The valve plate floats relative to the upper flange and is separated therefrom by a separating member.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Andrea Milanese
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Patent number: 9651151Abstract: A double-effect hydraulic actuating cylinder, particularly for hydraulic steering devices and for marine outboard motors, includes a cylinder slidably fitted on a coaxial rod, or vice versa, which sealingly projects out a head of the cylinder and carries a separating piston dividing the cylinder into two variable volume chambers, each connected to one of two inlets/outlets of the pump and a sealing head for the mutual sliding of cylinder and rod. The rod is non-slidably connected to a bracket fastening the cylinder to the motor, and an idler arm is secured to the motor and integral with the cylinder. At least one of the sealing heads include a sealing element engaging the inner side walls of one of the two variable-volume chambers, and a separate, coaxial plug element placed at the end parts of the cylinder and preventing the sealing element from sliding.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Alberto Fuccaro
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Publication number: 20170101166Abstract: A steering control system for a watercraft includes a pivoting steering tiller manually operated and operatively connected to a direction changing member acting on or into the water, such as a rudder blade or an outboard motor; and a system locking the steering tiller in the steering position, which can be activated for keeping the tiller in a predetermined pivoting position and deactivated for allowing the tiller to be moved in a pivoting position to carry out a change in direction. According to the invention the locking system is switchable by way of switching actuators that are controlled by a control member provided on the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
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Patent number: 9616971Abstract: In one embodiment, a control device for a trim tab of a boat includes a plurality of stabilizers, one of each provided on each side of the boat, and a joystick. The stabilizers include blades and a control actuator for each blade, which determines the regulation of the angle of each blade in respect of a plane identifying the transom of the boat. The joystick is connected to a control circuit, which generates a command signal based on a movement of the joystick and coordinates the position of each of the stabilizers, thereby causing the bow of the boat to move in the same direction as the joystick.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventor: Giorgio Gai
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Publication number: 20160121988Abstract: A steering gear for boats includes a control member connected to a drive shaft of a transmission having at least two dynamically engaged transmission elements, in particular, an input element and an output element. The output element drives a motion transfer member of the control member transferring motion to an operating unit, such that any displacement/rotation of the control member is transferred to the transfer member through the transmission. The motion transfer member includes a pull and/or push cable and a coupling member that is slidably attached to the steering gear and has a plurality of coupling seats, at least one of which is designed to engage a corresponding coupling claw on the steering gear. The coupling member includes a sheath-like element in which the pull and/or push cable is configured to slide, and the coupling seats include two annular throats of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Walter Trivella
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Publication number: 20160090167Abstract: Control device for generating auxiliary controls for a boat for controlling and regulating a boat handling auxiliary functionality, including an intermediate switch, changeover switch, or switch device located below the steering control member of the boat, which is connected to a drive unit for a steering actuator through a drive shaft; and a housing case shaped as an arm having at one end a member controlling the control device, which is provided with a terminal removably fastening alternatively to the casing holding the drive unit for the steering actuator, to a part thereof, or to a wall of a bridge or of a dashboard adjacently to the region for mounting the casing holding the drive unit for the steering actuator to the bridge or to the dashboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese, Enrico Pagani
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Patent number: 9242711Abstract: A steering system for boats includes a control member of the steering wheel type, lever type or the like connected to a driving shaft of a transmission composed of at least two transmission elements dynamically engaged one with the other, of which one is an input and the other one an output elements. The output element drives a member transferring the motion of the control member to an operating unit, such that a movement/rotation of the control member is transmitted to the transfer member through such transmission. Moreover, at least the input element is produced from a material obtained by a sintering process.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.P.AInventors: Giorgio Gai, Marco Campagna
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Publication number: 20150191216Abstract: Device for controlling the trim of a boat including at least one trim tab element or the like, engaged to the transom of the boat by a hinge. At least one actuator is also provided, which is affixed to the transom by an upper terminal and to the tab by a lower terminal respectively through an upper joint and a lower joint. The lower joint includes at least two parts, of which a first part is connected to the lower terminal of the actuator and a second part includes a lower bracket affixed to the tab by fastener means, which are engaged in corresponding engagement seats on the lower bracket and the tab. The first part includes a terminal element, which is provided in a housing seat formed on the lower bracket, such to enable a relative movement of actuator and tab with at least two degrees of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Marco Campagna, Giampiero Bressan
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Publication number: 20150075158Abstract: A hand-operated piston pump includes a drive shaft and a rotor mounted in a housing case, the rotor having axial compression chambers, a piston biased by an elastic member sliding in each compression chamber and having a projecting end that engages a cam track; a fluid reservoir in the housing case; a valve plate downstream of the rotor having conduits for a pressurized fluid that communicate with conduits in walls of the compression chambers, the valve plate being non-rotatably mounted below the housing case and communicating with conduits that carry the pressurized fluid to and from a consuming unit through an interposed check valve inserted in a corresponding valve body, the valve body having an upper flange with fluid supply and return channels communicating with the fluid conduits of the valve plate. The valve plate floats relative to the upper flange and is separated therefrom by a separating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Andrea Milanese
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Publication number: 20150075366Abstract: A double-effect hydraulic actuating cylinder, particularly for hydraulic steering devices and for marine outboard motors, includes a cylinder slidably fitted on a coaxial rod, or vice versa, which sealingly projects out a head of the cylinder and carries a separating piston dividing the cylinder into two variable volume chambers, each connected to one of two inlets/outlets of the pump and a sealing head for the mutual sliding of cylinder and rod. The rod is non-slidably connected to a bracket fastening the cylinder to the motor, and an idler arm is secured to the motor and integral with the cylinder. At least one of the sealing heads include a sealing element engaging the inner side walls of one of the two variable-volume chambers, and a separate, coaxial plug element placed at the end parts of the cylinder and preventing the sealing element from sliding.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Alberto Fuccaro
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Patent number: 8757630Abstract: A device for sealing an actuator includes a drive shaft and an elongated body, which move, relatively to each other, along their longitudinal axis, covered by a sleeve, which covers at least partially both the elongated body and the drive shaft, the sleeve having a first portion conformed with the bellows and a second portion having the shape like the elongated body so that it may be fitted on it and blocked at its end, the bellows portion being positioned in correspondence of the shaft and locked on it at its end so that the sleeve is integral with the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventor: Giorgio Gai
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Patent number: 8726825Abstract: A servo-assisted steering device for vehicles includes a manual control member that is connected to a pump or the like manually driving it when the control member is rotated. The pump is connected at its delivery and suction side to one of the two chambers of one or more steering actuators through hydraulic pipes, feeding a pressurized fluid alternately to one or the other of the two chambers depending on moving direction, in particular the rotation of the control member. Assist control means for the steering actuators include a hydraulic fluid tank and automatic pumping means, which are driven and connected to the hydraulic pipes when the steering wheel is operated and which, by increasing the amount of pumped fluid, increase the pressure exerted by the pump to reduce resistance when steering the control member. The number of revolutions of the motor driving the automatic pumping means may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
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Patent number: 8689716Abstract: A servo-assisted steering device for vehicles includes a manual control member connected to a shaft driving a pressurized control fluid supplying and conveying unit, which has at least two fluid conveying lines connected to one of two chambers of one or more steering actuators. A hydraulic power unit is connected to the supplying and conveying unit and includes a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid and powered pumping means, which are driven by an electric motor and which are connected to the fluid supplying/conveying circuit to supply the pressurized fluid alternately to either one or the other of the two chambers of the actuator (or actuators) depending on the rotational direction of the control member. The electric motor is energized and/or de-energized upon operation of the control member, causing the pumping means to increase the amount of pumped fluid and reduce resistance upon steering the manual control means.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.p.A.Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
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Publication number: 20130312651Abstract: In one embodiment, a control device for a trim tab of a boat includes a plurality of stabilizers, one of each provided on each side of the boat, and a joystick. The stabilizers include blades and a control actuator for each blade, which determines the regulation of the angle of each blade in respect of a plane identifying the transom of the boat. The joystick is connected to a control circuit, which generates a command signal based on a movement of the joystick and coordinates the position of each of the stabilizers, thereby causing the bow of the boat to move in the same direction as the joystick.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventor: Giorgio Gai
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Publication number: 20130160689Abstract: A steering system for boats includes a control member of the steering wheel type, lever type or the like connected to a driving shaft of a transmission composed of at least two transmission elements dynamically engaged one with the other, of which one is an input and the other one an output elements. The output element drives a member transferring the motion of the control member to an operating unit, such that a movement/rotation of the control member is transmitted to the transfer member through such transmission. Moreover, at least the input element is produced from a material obtained by a sintering process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.Inventor: UltraFlex S.p.A.
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Patent number: 8467944Abstract: A single lever control for combined control of the throttle of one or more engines, for example of boats, and of a reversing gear mechanism includes a system that alternately couples and uncouples the motion of the lever to the reversing gear driving mechanism and to the members controlling the throttle of the one or more engines as a function of the angular position of the lever.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.Inventors: Giorgio Gai, Marco Campagna, Marco Vaccari