Patents Examined by Evan Langdon
  • Patent number: 7121491
    Abstract: The reel unit includes a reel body that accommodates a variety of mechanisms therein and a T-shaped rod attachment leg that extends diagonally frontward and formed integrally with the reel body. The reel body includes a body member having an accommodation space in the interior thereof that opens to a side, and a lid member detachably mounted on the body member to cover the opening of the body member. A reduced thickness portion is formed in an upper rear portion of the reel body, where the rod attachment leg connects the reel body. The reduced thickness portion has a peripheral rim portion and a recessed portion that is further recessed from the peripheral rim portion. The cover member is mounted to cover the rear lower portion of the reel body in order to cover at least the peripheral rim portion of the reduced thickness portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7111766
    Abstract: The elongate rocker is forked at its first end and includes two fork tines. These are designed symmetrically relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the rocker. A control rod with a longitudinal center axis is pivotally mounted at its bottom end to the second end of the rocker. A spiral pressing spring with a longitudinal center axis acts onto the rocker. The upper feeding roller is designed symmetrically to a plane extending perpendicularly relative to its longitudinal center axis. The longitudinal center axis of the control rod defines together with the longitudinal center axis of the pressing spring a geometrical plane. This plane coincides with the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the rocker, which in turn coincides with the geometrical plane which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bruderer AG
    Inventor: Oskar Eigenmann
  • Patent number: 7100811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of production and an arrangement for feeding and guiding web materials in laterally separate paths from a web supply to a machine for producing packing blanks. More specifically a web guide is disclosed, capable of controlling web materials in laterally separate paths from a side by side storage to be advanced in parallel paths through the machine and to be separately or simultaneously processed into packing blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Emsize AB
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Hanko Kiessner
  • Patent number: 7100856
    Abstract: The invention is a combination spool and bobbin holder having essentially separate sections for the spool and the bobbin. The color of the thread is visible on both the spool and the bobbin for selection purposes and to ensure that the correct bobbin is stored with the correct spool. The device has retention devices to secure the spool and/or bobbin, and/or receiving devices to facilitate insertion of the spool and bobbin within, or to, the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: H. Stetser Murphy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7097000
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus comprises two (2) or more sets of elevators with one (1) piece of an elevating passage. Each of the elevators has an elevator car and a hoist, which is connected to the elevator car through a rope. Each the hoist has a sheave, a motor and a brake. The hoist of one of the elevators is projected above the elevator car of the other elevator. Also, open/close doors of the one elevator and those of the other elevator are disposed, so that they shift in front and behind. Door cases of the juxtaposing elevators are disposed to overlap with each other in front and behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Teramoto, Naoaki Noguchi, Atsushi Arakawa, Atsuya Fujino
  • Patent number: 7097157
    Abstract: A modular adjustable hoist has a winch and a cable for hoisting an object. An electric motor is coupled to the winch for winding and unwinding the cable. An adjustable frame is used for securing the winch to a support or in a free standing position. The support can include a door frame, a wall, and an automotive vehicle. Legs can be attached to the adjustable frame for providing stability to the hoist for use with or without the structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Lester B. Lodrick
  • Patent number: 7090200
    Abstract: An actuator and control algorithm which provide an operator with the ability to intuitively and responsively maneuver heavy work-pieces with ease and precision. The structure of the apparatus may provide a hoist with a compliant sensing system to measure the weight of the payload. The compliant sensing system may result in smaller dead-bands than are realizable with traditional force sensing methods. At the command of the user, the control algorithm may switch between two distinct operational modes: float mode and manual mode. In float mode, the hoist actively counterbalances the weight of the load, allowing it to feel substantially weightless in the operator's hands. The operator can apply forces directly to the payload to accelerate it in the desired vertical direction. Because of the small dead-band realized with compliant sensing, the payload may be highly responsive to the operators force inputs. As a result, the payload may be intuitively maneuvered at very high speeds, as well as very low speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher J. Morse, Benjamin T. Krupp, Jerry E. Pratt, Aaron G. Flores
  • Patent number: 7080825
    Abstract: An improved chain motor drive controller is provided for a chain hoist. The system employs a position encoder including a position sensor located within the casing of the chain hoist to producing encoded electrical position signals. A motor pulley is mounted on the chain motor rotary drive shaft and is coupled by a cogged belt to rotate an encoder pulley that is mounted on the same shaft as the position sensor. A mechanical coupling is thereby provided entirely within the casing of the chain hoist to transmit rotary motion from the rotary drive shaft directly to the position sensor. Also, tracking circuitry, likewise located entirely within the chain hoist casing, receives electrically encoded destination signals and compares these to signals from the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: George & Goldberg Design Associates
    Inventors: David W George, Glenn R. Bracegirdle, Joseph Peppard, Thomas G. Booth, Christopher E. Guth
  • Patent number: 7080824
    Abstract: An improved chain motor drive controller is provided for a chain hoist. The system employs a position encoder including a position sensor located within the casing of the chain hoist to producing encoded electrical position signals. A motor pulley is mounted on the chain motor rotary drive shaft and is coupled by a cogged belt to rotate an encoder pulley that is mounted on the same shaft as the position sensor. A mechanical coupling is thereby provided entirely within the casing of the chain hoist to transmit rotary motion from the rotary drive shaft directly to the position sensor. Also, tracking circuitry, likewise located entirely within the chain hoist casing, receives electrically encoded destination signals and compares these to signals from the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: George & Goldberg Design Associates
    Inventors: David W George, Glenn R. Bracegirdle, Joseph Peppard, Thomas G. Booth, Christopher E. Guth
  • Patent number: 7073696
    Abstract: A tape feeder for precisely advancing a component-carrying tape to present sequential electronic components disposed at a pitch in the tape to a pick-and-place machine. A feed sprocket and an encoder disc are operatively associated with each other and rotatably disposed on a common axis within a housing. A motor is operatively connected to the feed sprocket to repetitively rotate the feed sprocket over an angle corresponding to the pitch of the component-carrying tape. An encoder is disposed to read the encoder disc and provide a feedback signal indicating the angular position of the feed sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: David Alan College
  • Patent number: 7063306
    Abstract: An electronic winch monitoring system for a winch having a fixed-ratio gearbox with input and output shafts, a winch drum connected to the output shaft, and an auxiliary brake connected to the output shaft activated by reducing the pressure in a brake release hydraulic circuit. The system comprises an input shaft speed sensor, an output shaft speed sensor, and an electronic control unit having a monitoring section and a brake control section. The monitoring section receives the speed signals, processes them to produce a calculated ratio of actual input to output shaft speeds, and produces a fault indication signal when the value of the difference between the calculated speed ratio and the fixed ratio exceeds a predetermined value. The brake control section, upon receiving the fault signal, reduces the hydraulic pressure in the brake circuit using a nonlinear pressure-time profile to engage the auxiliary brake and stop the winch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Mark E. Sanders, David E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7059589
    Abstract: A safety device for a winch for minimizing line whipping when the line improperly releases. A weight is coupled to the line at a selected region on the line when the line is extended from the winch to winch an object. When the extended line suddenly releases the weight provides a weighted pivot for the released cable. The safety method provides coupling a weight to the line and, locking the weight at a selected region of the line when the line is extended from the winch for winching. When the extended line suddenly releases the locked weight provides a weighted pivot for the released cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Bryan D. Dorr
  • Patent number: 7055726
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying a traveling position of a paper web in a paper web processing machine is provided. The apparatus is capable of easily attaching a detection means; requiring no operation of the paper web processing machine to determine an accurately adjusted position for attachment; and extremely easily setting a desired size of a tolerable deviation range of a practical position of a side edge to an originally expected position of the side edge when the sheet travels. The apparatus includes a traveling position modification means for modifying a position of a side edge of a paper web traveling toward a processing section in a paper web processing machine; a detection means for detecting the position of the side edge of the paper web; and a control means connected to the modification means and the detection means for controlling the modification means based on a value detected at the detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Atsushi Satoh, Yoshiki Kunoh
  • Patent number: 7052227
    Abstract: An access system for passenger boarding of a vehicle is provided. The access system includes a frame mounted to the vehicle. A transfer member is movably mounted in the frame. The transfer member is movable with respect to the frame between a stowed position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. A first drive assembly is positioned along a first side of the frame and a second drive assembly is positioned along a second side of the frame. A linking member extends between and connects the first drive assembly with the second drive assembly. There is further provided a control assembly that is engageable to at least one of the linking member, the first drive assembly, and the second drive assembly to allow operator selection of a manual or automatic mode for deploying and stowing the transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventor: Sebastian Garcia Navarro
  • Patent number: 7051967
    Abstract: A reel unit for a spinning reel includes a reel body, a rod attachment leg that is formed integrally with the reel body, and a reinforcing member that is coupled to the reel body by being mounted opening. The rod attachment leg has an accommodation space that opens longitudinally along the length thereof, and the reinforcing member is mounted in this accommodation space. The reinforcing member is a metal member. A portion of the reinforcing member protrudes from the outer peripheral surfaces of the rod attachment leg. A through hole is formed in the lower portion of the reinforcing member, and a screw is inserted into the through hole to be screwed fast to the reel body. In this manner, the strength of a rod attachment leg on a reel unit of a spinning reel can be increased with an inexpensive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7044417
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring material winding between spools. The apparatus includes spindels for positioning first and second spools in a co-planar arrangement with parallel axes of rotation. With the material initially secured to the base of a first spool with tape, a winding mechanism is energized to turn the spools. When the first spool is filled, a first sheave directs the incoming material to the second spool which is rotated at the rate of material supply. A tape applicator is then directed to apply a section of tape over the material, pressing it against the base of the second spool. A small wire is included on the base of the tape being applied. The applicator force on the wire against the material is designed to be sufficient to sever the material, separating the material on the first spool from the material being wound on the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Berkeley Process Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Russ Angold, Jon Burns, Brian Lynch, Nathan Harding, Chris Van Wert, Yu-Han Chen
  • Patent number: 7036702
    Abstract: A drive wheel for a tape accommodating the components is provided with an angle measuring device. This allows for a finely tuned rotational adjustment of the drive wheel. The pick-up position of the components can be detected by a scanning optical system and can be corrected such that the pouch center can be set precisely to a constant advance position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Liebeke
  • Patent number: 7028937
    Abstract: A reel unit has a housing unit, a first lid, a second lid, and a rod-attachment portion. The housing unit has an accommodation space formed in the interior thereof that accommodates and supports a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has a master gear non-rotatably coupled to a master gear shaft. The first lid is made of a metal and is fixedly coupled to the housing unit to interpose the master gear with the housing unit. The second lid is made of a synthetic resin and is fixedly coupled to the housing unit to close the accommodation space. The rod-attachment portion is formed integrally with the housing unit and can be mounted onto a fishing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hitomi, Tomohiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7017845
    Abstract: A drag mechanism in a fishing reel has a friction material impregnated with a phenolic resin before it is laminated to a drag plate. The material is 30% phenolic coated 99+% carbon fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Penn Fishing Tackel Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Chad Clark
  • Patent number: 7017850
    Abstract: The present invention concerns solutions for disposing the wire leads of a wire coil along trajectories that have predetermined positional references relative to the dynamo-electric machine component. The present invention proposes to provide a wire lead manipulator that operates to dispose the wire lead by entering within extremely narrow gaps on a dynamo-electric machine component at high speed and with a lower risk of the wire lead manipulator colliding with the accessory parts of the component. Using the solutions of this invention, these achievements are possible for dynamo-electric machine components with very small spaces between accessory components that do not allow the passage of conventional wire lead manipulator apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: ATOP S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Stratico, Maurizio Mugelli