Patents Assigned to Ultraflex S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 10385910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Walter Trivella
  • Patent number: 10011342
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 9771134
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Marco Campagna, Giampiero Bressan
  • Patent number: 9738366
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 9676465
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Andrea Milanese
  • Patent number: 9651151
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Alberto Fuccaro
  • Publication number: 20170101166
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 9616971
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gai
  • Publication number: 20160121988
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Walter Trivella
  • Publication number: 20160090167
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Andrea Milanese, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 9242711
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A
    Inventors: Giorgio Gai, Marco Campagna
  • Publication number: 20150191216
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Marco Campagna, Giampiero Bressan
  • Publication number: 20150075158
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Andrea Milanese
  • Publication number: 20150075366
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani, Alberto Fuccaro
  • Patent number: 8757630
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gai
  • Patent number: 8726825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 8689716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Publication number: 20130312651
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gai
  • Publication number: 20130160689
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A.
    Inventor: UltraFlex S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 8467944
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Gai, Marco Campagna, Marco Vaccari