Patents Examined by Evan H Langdon
  • Patent number: 7871030
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a holder base having two racks, an accommodation space defined between the racks and two axle holes in communication with the accommodation space at two sides, two transmission shafts respectively mounted in the axle holes, slide blocks at two sides of the holder base, a steering mechanism, which comprises two swivel brackets pivotally mounted in the accommodation space and biasable relative to each other, a skirted spool mounted in between the swivel brackets, a driving mechanism coupled to one transmission gear and adapted for rotating the skirted spool by means of a driving gear set and a rotating device coupled to the other transmission shaft and adapted for moving the slide blocks through a drive gear set and a follower gear set to force one transmission shaft into engagement with one end of the skirted spool and to bias one swivel bracket and the skirted spool between a horizontal position and a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Chang
  • Patent number: 7870986
    Abstract: A lead-in roller clearance adjustment mechanism includes a pair of lead-in rollers for guiding a web with a clearance therebetween and a clearance adjustment mechanism for adjusting an amount of clearance. The lead-in roller clearance adjustment mechanism further includes motors for driving the clearance adjustment mechanism and potentiometers for detecting output positions of these motors, and adjusts the amount of clearance automatically. A clearance adjustment device includes a control device for an automated paper threading device and for clearance adjustment between the lead-in rollers, a web thickness of the web being inputted in the control device, the control device controlling the motors to set the amount of clearance at a predetermined value before threading the web into a lead-in roller unit, and to set the amount of clearance at a value corresponding to the inputted web thickness of the web after threading the web into the lead-in roller unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7866630
    Abstract: To provide a winding mechanism and a trawling apparatus capable of eliminating an excessive tension or slack generated in a wire wound around a drum and keeping the tension or wire length of the wire constant. A winding mechanism with tension control function includes a reversibly rotatable liquid-pressure motor rotating a drum having a wire wound therearound, a liquid-pressure pump coupled directly with the liquid-pressure motor and supplying hydraulic oil, and an electric motor rotating to drive the liquid-pressure pump. The winding mechanism further includes a control unit controlling a torque of the electric motor based on a variation in load current of the electric motor and winding off or winding up the wire to keep the tension of the wire at a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Tsurumi Seiki Co., Ltd., Dai-Ichi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Ueki, Hirohumi Doi, Shogo Miyajima, Kenzo Hasegawa, Hiroshi Satoh
  • Patent number: 7866445
    Abstract: A lift machine comprises a base, a support for supporting a load above the base, a lift actuator operatively connected between the base and the support for raising and lowering the support relative to the base, and a support stabilization mechanism operatively connected between the base and the support for stabilizing the support relative to the base during raising and lowering of the support by the lift actuator. The support stabilization mechanism comprises a pair of opposed linkages, with each of the pair of opposed linkages having a lower torque tube link and an upper torque tube link. The lower torque tube link has a torque tube operatively pivoted to the base. The upper torque tube link has a torque tube operatively pivoted to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., KUKA Systems Corporation North America
    Inventors: Larry Bukowski, Andrew Griesser, Vincent Sisti, Detlev Ziesel
  • Patent number: 7866587
    Abstract: A drag adjusting mechanism for a dual-bearing reel comprises a drag adjusting lever, a cam mechanism, and a rotation restricting portion. The drag adjusting lever rotates about a spool shaft between a drag release position and a maximum drag position. The cam mechanism has a cam surface that converts rotation of the drag adjusting lever into axial movement of the drag mechanism along the axial direction of the spool shaft. The rotation restricting member is provided on the cam surface and regulates rotation of the drag adjusting lever to the drag release position. The rotation restricting member has a protrusion with an apex, a first slanted surface extending from the apex toward a first position corresponding to a drag release position, and a second slanted surface extending from the apex in the direction opposite to the drag release position. The angle of the first slanted surface is smaller than the angle of the second slanted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 7866518
    Abstract: A tape feeder 1 includes a carrying sprocket 4 for carrying a carrier tape 3 at inside of a cabinet 2, a motor 5 for driving to rotate the carrying sprocket 4, a driven sprocket 6 driven to rotate by a movement of the carrier tape 3 carried at inside of the cabinet 2, and an exfoliating roller 7 rotated cooperatively with rotation of the driven sprocket 6 for reeling to exfoliate a cover tape 12 pasted onto the carrier tape 3 for sealing a part, in which driving of the motor 5 is transmitted as an operation of carrying the carrier tape 3 and is transmitted to the driven sprocket 6 by way of the carrier tape 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Akifumi Wada
  • Patent number: 7861965
    Abstract: The reel includes a reel hub that is made of a resin material and is formed into a cylindrical shape, an upper flange that is made of a resin material and is extended integrally outward in a radial direction from one end portion in an axial direction of the reel hub, and a reinforcement ring that is integrally disposed radially inside a tape take-up surface of the reel hub by insert molding and reinforces the reel hub in the radial direction. A position of an upper end of the reinforcement ring coincides with a position of an upper end of the tape take-up surface in the axial direction of the reel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Mori
  • Patent number: 7850109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preventing backlash on a spool of a bait reel, including: the spool fit to a spool shaft in such a manner as to be rotated together with the spool shaft; a dial knob mounted at the outside of a body of the bait reel and having a cam mounted at the inside thereof; and magnetic braking means including: a ring-shaped face plate moved forwardly and backwardly in a coaxial direction to the spool shaft by the rotation of the cam of the dial knob rotatably mounted at the inside of a spool cover covering the side face of the body of the bait reel; and a pair of movers mounted on one end surface of the spool to face each other about the spool shaft in such a manner as to be slidingly moved in a radial direction, each of the pair of movers having a plurality of magnets mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Dawon Eng Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-Mo Sung
  • Patent number: 7845621
    Abstract: A tightener for a binding strap is disclosed. A base is penetrated with a rotating axle with a ratchet installed on its one end. A tooth limits the ratchet to move in a single direction. A driving element is mounted on the rotating axle. A ratchet tooth engages with the ratchet for the driving element to drive the ratchet. The driving element has a cam part and a blocking part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Jung-Wen Lu
  • Patent number: 7845590
    Abstract: A lever sound generating device is constructed to generate a sound in response to rotation of a drag adjusting lever mounted to an outer peripheral surface of a boss formed on a reel unit of a dual-bearing reel. The sound generating device comprises a sound generating member and a striker mechanism. The sound generating member includes a truncated cone-shaped member with an undulated surface. The sound generating member is mounted to the boss and restricted from rotating and moving in an axially inward direction. The striker mechanism is mounted to the drag adjusting lever and arranged to repeatedly contact the undulated surface when the drag adjusting lever is rotated about the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 7845622
    Abstract: A hoist device adaptable to lift or pull load material of various types. The hoist device is attachable to the trailer hitch of a vehicle and comprises a telescopic boom of a pair of rectangular tubular members attachable slidably to a base support member. In adjacent position on the base support is a control post member to which other components are attached, including a motor-driven winch positionable on the upright end thereof. A lifting component is attachable to the end of the boom member to be able to rotate easily, in any direction, since the angular movement of the boom member is always only one direction in regard to the axis of the boom member. A cable is used to operate the movement of the boom member, and has one end attached to the winch and a second end attached to a rigid component on the boom member after engaging pulley means on the boom member or control post member as chosen to provide suitable angular orientation of the boom member and telescopic extension of the boom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Allen Riggs
  • Patent number: 7841553
    Abstract: A fishing line spool support, line guide mechanism, and kit incorporating the same enables users thereof to transfer line from a spool assembly to a reel assembly. The spool support comprises a spool-bearing portion and opposed rails extending in parallel relation to one another away from the spool-bearing portion. A line guide mechanism rides along the rails and comprises spool interfacing structures borne by a carriage member of the mechanism for interfacing with the opposed rims of a spool as borne by the spool support. Together the carriage member and interface units provide line-guiding stop structure for preventing or minimizing line migration during line transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Ian Touchstone
  • Patent number: 7837179
    Abstract: A tire carrier assembly is operative to provide a controlled payout of cable in response to an application of a minimum predetermined amount of force upon the tire carrier assembly. The tire carrier assembly includes a housing having a bottom wall and a side wall extending outwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space. A rotation shaft is coupled to the housing and having a longitudinal axis. A sheave is coupled to the shaft and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A gear member extends from the sheave and is rotatable therewith about the longitudinal axis. A pin fixedly secured to the housing. A torque plate has a gear portion epicyclically engaged with the gear member of the sheave. The torque plate has an arm portion extending generally radially outwardly with respect to the gear portion. The torque plate has a closed-ended slot formed in the arm portion and receiving the pin therethrough. The arm portion has legs extending along opposite sides of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Walter J. Steiner, Jr., Tony Voegeli, Jeffrey M. Stephens, Peter Pelech
  • Patent number: 7832679
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material including a plurality of spaced perforations may include a housing defining an interior for accommodating a source of the sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material may be dispensed. The device may also include a perforation sensor configured to sense perforations in the sheet material, disposed in the interior of the housing. The perforation sensor may include at least one light receptor, and at least a portion of the perforation sensor may be positioned in the housing to contact sheet material traveling from the source to the outlet, thereby spreading perforations in the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Dennis J. Denen, Joshua M. Broehl, John J. Knittle
  • Patent number: 7832526
    Abstract: The safety device according to the invention for operator protection in elevators with a low-height shaft bottom (5), is characterized in that it uses a brace (1) hinged on abase plate (3) secured to the bottom of the shaft (5) and arranged when folded in the horizontal position at a reduced height above the shaft bottom (5) in normal elevator operation, and a buffer element (9) secured underneath the car (11) and adapted to come into contact with a horizontal side surface of the brace (1) in its folded position, wherein said brace (1) is adapted to be moved by an appropriate lifting device (31) to a vertical lifted position in which the buffer element (9) can come into contact with an upper surface (15) of the brace (1), in a condition where the operator can work in the shaft bottom (5), wherein the length of the 15 brace added (1) to the thickness of the buffer element (9) provides for a sufficient depth between the underside of the car (11) and the shaft bottom (5) to suppress any risk for the operator to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: GĂ©rard Sirigu
  • Patent number: 7832675
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic threading and winding of optical fiber onto various components in a fiber draw system, as well as methods and apparatus for conducting online tensile screening of optical fiber at high speeds. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is tensile tested during fiber draw and wound directly onto a shipping spool to be shipped to a customer. The tensile stress can be imparted to the fiber during the draw process by feeding the fiber through a screener capstan, which works in conjunction with another capstan to impart the desired tensile stress to the fiber during the draw process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirk P. Bumgarner, Kenneth W. Roberts, David A. Tucker
  • Patent number: 7832672
    Abstract: A fishing reel is provided having a pair of opposed sidewalls with a spool holding fishing line rotatably supported between the sidewalls. The spool is freely rotatable in a first direction to release fishing line from the bottom portion of the spool, and is mechanically rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction to retrieve the fishing line and to wind the line back onto the spool. A handle crank is provided for imparting rotation to the spool in the second direction by rotation of the crank in the same, second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert C. Baenziger, Casey Childre
  • Patent number: 7832711
    Abstract: A control system comprising a force measuring means (3) for measuring the magnitude of the force acting on a lower part of the rope suspending a load, which force is caused by a force imposed on the load by an operator, the mass of the load, and an acceleration of the load; a first control means (4) having a first computing unit, the first computing unit computing a rotational direction and a velocity of a servomotor to be driven, based on the measured result from the force measuring means, and outputting a signal that corresponds to the measured result to the servomotor, a length measuring means for measuring the length of a rope (2) wound down from a hoist drum; a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the load suspended from the rope; an angle measuring means for measuring the angle of the rope relative to a vertical plane when the operator laterally pushes the load; and a second control means having a second computing unit, the second computing unit computing the operation conditions for the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Sintokogio, Ltd., Toyohashi University of Technology
    Inventors: Takanori Miyoshi, Kazuhiko Terashima, Etsuzo Kawai
  • Patent number: 7832674
    Abstract: A tape cartridge has a tape housing, first and second reel member cooperate with each other to constitute a reel around which a tape is wound, a connecting and biasing member connecting between the first and second, and first and second engaging means. The first engaging means is provided on an inner surface of the lower wall. The second engaging means is provided on a lower surface of the second reel member. This arrangement allows that the second engaging means can engage with the first engaging means due to a biasing force caused by the connecting and biasing member to prevent a rotation of the second reel member and can disengage from the first engaging means when the drive shaft accesses the second reel member through the opening and forces the second reel member toward the first reel member against the biasing force of the connecting and biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Inugai, Keiji Ban
  • Patent number: 7828270
    Abstract: A quick attach stabilizing device for skid steer loaders and similar machines for performing off-road recovery, winching, and loading operations. Primarily used by wrecker service and other service companies when 4 wheel drive winch vehicles cannot drive to the off-road location due to the extremely bad ground surface conditions caused by excessive rain, snow, or ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Carnel C. Duvall