Patents Examined by Anna Momper
  • Patent number: 9758134
    Abstract: According to an example, a disk brake is disclosed in which a caliper is supported by a mounting bracket via a slide pin, the mounting bracket being attached to a non-rotational portion of a vehicle, the disk brake comprising an electromagnet provided in connection with the slide pin, the electromagnet attracting the slide pin in an axial direction of the slide pin such that brake pads move away from a disk rotor. According to another example, a disk brake in which a caliper is supported by a mounting bracket via a slide pin, the mounting bracket being attached to a non-rotational portion of a vehicle, the disk brake comprising a magnetic material body of a backing plate of a brake pad and an electromagnet provided in a location where the electromagnet is opposed to the magnetic material body in a lateral direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yokoyama, Ikuru Konno, Hiroaki Sato, Kiyoshi Kuwazuru, Takahiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 9758321
    Abstract: The automatic layer picking assembly for a warehouse comprises a movable layer transporter comprising layer positioner that is operable to position the movable layer transporter with respect to the predetermined pallet positions separately from a pallet transporter during a pallet layer mixing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INTRION NV
    Inventor: Gerard Paulussen
  • Patent number: 9758004
    Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle is provided. The vibration damper includes at least one damping cylinder made from a fiber composite material; a guiding element for guiding a piston rod of a piston movably arranged in the damping cylinder. The guiding element is located in a guiding end region at one end of the damping cylinder. A fastening element for use in attaching the at least one damping cylinder to a vehicle is located at a fastening end of the cylinder. At least one of the two end regions of the damping cylinder is conical or wedge-shaped and its element has a corresponding external form that is conical or wedge-shaped. A conical or wedge-shaped clamping sleeve located around the conical or wedge-shaped end regions of the damping cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Eifflaender, Hubert Strobl
  • Patent number: 9751702
    Abstract: Wheel chock systems for use at loading docks and other locations are described herein. In some embodiments, the wheel chock systems can include a wheel chock assembly that is positionable in contact with a vehicle wheel to restrain the vehicle at a loading dock. The wheel chock assembly can include a sensor target, and a corresponding sensor can be mounted to, for example, an outer wall of the loading dock or a wheel chock storage cradle mounted to the outer wall. In operation, the sensor can emit a wireless signal (e.g., an electromagnetic signal) that is reflected off of the sensor target and received back by the sensor when the wheel chock has been positioned in a blocking relationship relative to the vehicle wheel to restrain the vehicle at the loading dock. The sensor can be operably connected to a loading dock signal system (e.g., a signal light system) that displays appropriate signals to loading dock personnel based on detection of proper wheel chock placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Daryl Day
  • Patent number: 9752625
    Abstract: Dual clutch including two clutch units acting in a force-fitting manner and mounted on a common clutch hub in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner, a pressure disk arrangement retained between the clutch units on the clutch hub in an axially fixed manner and including two axially movable pressure pistons each of which can be ventilated by a compression spring arrangement positioned in the clutch hub. Each compression spring arrangement includes multiple compression springs, each of which is arranged in a recess of the clutch hub. Each recess is introduced into the clutch hub as an axially extending blind hole. The pressure disk arrangement is received in a radial groove of the clutch hub, the groove being radially and/or axially spaced from the blind holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: STROMAG GMBH
    Inventors: Hendrik Datema, Matthias Glomm, Thomas Haeseker
  • Patent number: 9745055
    Abstract: A method of isolating vibrations between vibrating bodies includes determining a pressure differential between a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber of a liquid inertia vibration eliminator (LIVE) unit, and selectively injecting fluid into or withdrawing fluid from the LIVE unit based on the pressure differential. A system for isolating vibrations between bodies includes a vibration isolator including fluid, a fluid regulator valve in fluid communication with the vibration isolator to selectively flow fluid through the vibration isolator, a pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid regulator to supply fluid to the fluid regulator, a controller in signal communication with the fluid regulator to control fluid flow between the fluid regulation valve and the vibration isolator, and at least one sensor in signal communication with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: David E. Heverly, II, Taeoh Lee, Michael R. Smith, James E. Wright
  • Patent number: 9743585
    Abstract: A mower spindle brake disengagement mechanism includes belt driven pulleys on spindles supported by a rotary mower deck, brakes adjacent the pulleys, each of the brakes on a pivot arm biased to a brake engaged position, and a plurality of Bowden cables, each Bowden cable connected between one of the pivot arms and a single lever that may be pivoted to retract the Bowden cables to move the brakes on the pivot arms to a brake disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew N. Buchmann, Sean P. Elmore, Andrew J. Phy
  • Patent number: 9739353
    Abstract: An active bearing at least for vibration reduction is described, comprising a) an interface (7) to be fitted to a load (8); b) at least one support element (3) in an operative connection with the interface (7) and a support unit (6); c) at least one linear actuator (5) supported indirectly or directly on the support unit (6); d) a gear unit (4) for the path transmission of an actuating path change originating from the linear actuator (5), said gear unit being in an operative connection with the at least one linear reactor (5); e) at least one decoupling unit (1), which serves for the decoupling of the static load transfer and for transmitting the dynamic load transfer; wherein the at least one linear actuator (5), the gear unit (4) and the at least one decoupling unit (1) are disposed serially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V., TU DARMSTADT
    Inventors: Roman Kraus, Timo Jungblut, Sven Herold, Tobias Melz
  • Patent number: 9725102
    Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the lever. In some embodiments, the braking system includes a strut connected to the second brake assembly, the actuator, fixed rod and movable rod connected to the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Sunde
  • Patent number: 9726245
    Abstract: A vehicle spring for a spring system, includes a spring body (20) and is produced, in particular rolled, from a profiled bar (1) made of a flat steel bar, in particular spring steel, in a hot deformation process. The profiled bar (1) or the spring body (20) has at least one material recess (6) which is provided over the length of the profiled bar or the spring body at least in some regions. The cross-sectional shape of the profiled bar (1) can be the same over the entire length of the profiled bar, whereas the cross-sectional shape in the spring body (20) can vary over the length of the spring body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Hendrickson Commercial Vehicle Systems Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Kuhnelt, Jorg Zamberger
  • Patent number: 9719570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration-damping device having an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder arranged at a distance on an outer diameter side of the inner cylinder, a rubber elastic body interposed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder for elastically coupling the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and an intermediate plate embedded in the rubber elastic body. A plurality of cutout parts positioned on both end sides in the axial direction of the outer cylinder for joining an inner side rubber elastic body and an outer side rubber elastic body are formed in the intermediate plate. At least one of the cutout parts is arranged to overlap on an area that is sandwiched between two parallel imaginary planes that are adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: YAMASHITA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeo Kojima
  • Patent number: 9714040
    Abstract: Disclosed is unit brake, which is equipped with a cylinder apparatus in which a clutch mechanism that switches between transmitting or cutting off a biasing force of a spring brake part is disposed, is capable of preventing a braking force due to the spring brake part from unintentionally decreasing due to a meshing section of the clutch mechanism disengaging, and is of a size that can replace an existing unit brake, and maintains the performance of bearings in the clutch mechanism even with long-term use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Asano
  • Patent number: 9714685
    Abstract: A brake hub assembly couplable to the axle of a vehicle includes a brake hub defining a central axis and having a set of lugs, a brake disk in engagement with the hub and axially slideable over the set of lugs, and a stopping plate formed separately from the hub and fastened to the set of lugs. A first portion of the stopping plate extends between adjacent first and second lugs in the set of lugs. The brake hub assembly also includes an axial preload spring coupled to the hub for clamping the brake disk against the stopping plate. A first portion of the axial preload spring extending between the first and second lugs biases the brake disk toward the first portion of the stopping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GUNITE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Root
  • Patent number: 9702425
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes: a shaft having a hollow portion; a pair of side panels; a case provided between the pair of side panels; a vane provided on the shaft so as to divide a first chamber and a second chamber; a liquid chamber defined within the hollow portion; a first partition wall and a second partition wall housed in the hollow portion; a first side valve chamber that is defined by the first partition wall; a second side valve chamber that is defined by the second partition wall; a first side port that connects the first side valve chamber to a second liquid chamber; a second side port that connects the second side valve chamber to the second liquid chamber; a first side damping valve capable of opening and closing the first side port; and a second side damping valve capable of opening and closing the second side port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Sakuta
  • Patent number: 9694640
    Abstract: The present invention reveals a distance sensor comprising: a signal receiving unit, an electromagnetic wave transmitting unit, and a magnetic signal transmitting unit; wherein the signal transmitting unit is adapted to transmit to the signal receiving unit a sensed distance between the signal receiving unit and the magnetic signal transmitting unit, wherein the magnetic signal transmitting unit further comprises an electromagnetic wave receiving unit and an electromagnetic wave-to-electric power converter, and wherein the electromagnetic wave receiving unit receives electromagnetic waves transmitted from the electromagnetic wave transmitting unit to operate the magnetic signal transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: STEMCO KAISER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lutz May
  • Patent number: 9688345
    Abstract: A suspension device includes a main body, and a stroke locking mechanism that locks expansion/contraction of the main body. The stroke locking mechanism includes: a tube member coupled to one of a vehicle body and a vehicle wheel; a partition wall body fixed inside the tube member so as to divide an interior of the tube member into a first chamber and a second chamber; a flow passage that connects the first chamber to the second chamber; a valve that cuts off the flow passage during stroke locking; and a shaft member coupled to the other of the vehicle body and the vehicle wheel and inserted into the first chamber to be capable of advancing and retreating. The first chamber is filled with a working fluid, and the working fluid is stored in the second chamber so as to form a reservoir portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yoshimoto, Yu Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9689451
    Abstract: End mounts are used to secure a helical tension spring to end fixtures with various shapes and sizes. These end mounts contain an inner hole to encase the inner spring end mount and secure the end mount making it like a cap. There is also a keyhole created in the top surface that goes through the end mount allowing it to fit over the fixtures but not over the inner end mount, holding it in place. Grooves are machined in a helical pattern on the cylindrical side wall of the end mount. The spring is wound onto the grooves of the end mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Renton Coil Spring Co.
    Inventor: Charles F. Pepka
  • Patent number: 9677640
    Abstract: A damper assembly includes a piston and cylinder type damper with a piston (14) mounted for reciprocal movement in a cylinder (10) containing damping fluid. The piston (14) is acted on by a piston rod (11) which includes a reaction surface for engaging the piston. The cross-sectional area of the reaction surface is designed to be significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of the piston rod (11) in order to spread the load exerted on the piston (14). Also, the piston (14) is designed to engage the piston rod (11) at its inner end in a manner that provides lateral guidance for the inner end of the piston rod in its movement in the cylinder (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Titus International PLC
    Inventors: Valter Svara, Danijel Kozlovic, David Pecar
  • Patent number: 9677628
    Abstract: A brake assembly and a method of manufacture. The brake assembly may have a bracket assembly that may include a brake wing and a mounting flange disposed at opposite ends of a tube portion. The bracket assembly may rotatably support a camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Moss
  • Patent number: 9670983
    Abstract: Embodiments of an isolator are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation system employing a number of three parameter isolators. In one embodiment, the isolator includes a damper assembly and a thermal compensator external to the damper assembly. The damper assembly includes, in turn, a damper housing and a first hydraulic chamber, which is located within the damper housing and which is configured to contain a damping fluid. The thermal compensator includes a thermal compensator chamber, which is fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic chamber and which is configured to exchange damping fluid therewith during operation of the isolator. A thermal compensator bellows bounds an inner circumference of the thermal compensator chamber such that the bellows is externally pressurized when the first hydraulic chamber and the thermal compensator chamber are filled with the damping fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Jose Pagan, Ryan Goold