Patents Examined by Lawrence J. Staab
  • Patent number: 4530252
    Abstract: A device for automatically inserting and ejecting an information carrier by means of an over-center mechanism, which is actuated manually until the over-center point is reached. The over-center mechanism comprises an eccentric gear which has a diameter which increases as the insertion movement proceeds, the gear surface engaging a sliding member for the information carrier. As a result, the automatic insertion path length is increased relative to the manual insertion path length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Heidrun Sarges, Klaus Kommoss, Valentin H. Schutte
  • Patent number: 4530256
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle comprises an input shaft connected to the crank shaft of an engine, an output shaft connected to a driving wheel, a V-belt stepless variable speed gear provided between the input and output shafts for providing different gear ratios of the input and output shafts on a stepless basis, and an interlocking transmission gear provided between the input and output shafts parallel to the stepless variable speed gear which, when operated, provides a constant gear ratio of the input and output shafts. A hydraulically operated first clutch of a normally-closed type is provided on the input shaft for operating the stepless variable speed gear when it is connected, and a hydraulically operated second clutch of a normally open type is provided on the output shaft for operating the interlocking transmission gear when it is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Torao Hattori
  • Patent number: 4527470
    Abstract: An improved pulley system for use with band printers or the like. A steel printing band is looped around a pair of capstans covered by sleeves made of elastomeric material. The sleeves include a plurality of downwardly angled flexible circumferential flanges and a lower horizontal rim. The band contacts the flanges and as the capstans rotate, inward force on the band is transferred to a downward force by means of the flanges. The downward force causes the band to move into contact with the lower horizontal rim, thereby vertically aligning the band in the printer. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of non-flexible circumferential ridges are included. The central ridges extend farther out from the surface of the sleeve and serve to define a crown. The sleeve configuration serves to reduce wear and accurately align the printing band within the printer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Dataproducts Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Smithbauer, Daniel R. Lytle, Clifford Helms
  • Patent number: 4527443
    Abstract: A device for supporting and sealing a final drive shaft bearing in a speed change gear having a construction in which a final drive shaft is supported by a bearing holder via a rolling element bearing and the bearing holder is fitted and fixed to a gear box. A stopper flange is formed at the inner end portion of the bearing holder and a first nut is screwed to the outer end portion of the bearing holder so as to clamp the outer race of the rolling element bearing in cooperation with the stopper flange. A seal housing is integrally formed with the bearing holder and extends outside the nut. An oil seal is fitted to the seal housing and has a seal lip that comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft. The final drive shaft is equipped with a helical bevel gear and the rolling element bearing consists of a double-row angular contact type bearing. A second nut for clamping the inner race of the bearing in cooperation with the bevel gear is screwed to the final drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuzo Ohoka
  • Patent number: 4526052
    Abstract: A synchromesh mechanism is provided with a synchronizing ring unit that consists of a pusher ring, semicircular lever member and friction ring. The lever member exerts a force that is multiplied by the effect of leverage against the friction ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Hiraiwa
  • Patent number: 4526054
    Abstract: A transmission, e.g. a wheel hub gear (1), with a load-dependent, controllable splash lubrication. It has a second, oil storage, zone (12), which is a continuation of its housing (2). This oil storage zone (12) has an annular chamber (16). By displacing oil from the first zone (11) into the second zone (12) via an interconnection port (13), a displacement which is achieved by means of centrifugal forces, by draw-tube-like interconnection ports, or by integrated displacement elements (18, 19), one obtains a reduction of the submersion depth (9) of the rotating gear parts (4) to a thickness (8) of an oil ring (7) which forms at the interior casing surface (6). The minimum oil ring (7a) which is thus established secures adequate residual lubrication during normal operation of the gear with minimal energy losses from splashing, etc. For occasional higher loads, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Friedrich Ehrlinger
  • Patent number: 4526049
    Abstract: The invention provides a vibrator for shaking materials, comprising a drive, a shaft which can be connected to the drive and which is supported on the casing, at least by a bearing, and further comprising an imbalance member supported by the shaft, in the form of an inert mass arranged eccentrically of the shaft.As a means of improving a vibrator of this type to make it easier to mount, the invention provides that the imbalance member (10) should be arranged loose on the shaft (5). It is desirable for the imbalance member (10) to be provided in contact with the shaft (5) and at least partly enclosing it. If the imbalance member (10) is semi-cylindrical and has bearing boxes (12) at both ends, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the bearing boxes will be light compared to the inert mass of the imbalance member, and their only function will be to surround the shaft and provide a contact surface or contact line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Jean Netter
    Inventor: Anton Pottgens
  • Patent number: 4526047
    Abstract: An energy absorber strut includes a pair of elongated drive nuts threaded internally to mate with a drive screw having high lead threads on opposite ends so that outward movement of the nuts on the screw rotates the screw in one direction and inward movement rotates the screw in the opposite direction. A mandrel mounted to rotate with the screw is restrained from rotation by a capstan spring which surrounds and grips it. Prestressed torsion springs connected to the ends of the capstan spring permit it to unwind slightly and drag with respect to the mandrel when the torsion springs are subjected to a predetermined torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Company
    Inventor: Elmer C. Yang
  • Patent number: 4526048
    Abstract: A pumping method, principally for oil, allows the sucker rod to fall under gravity for the first part of the downward stroke, then decelerates the sucker rod to a slow rate of descent, so creating a pause in the sucker rod's motion. Shock-absorbing means are provided to eliminate the impulsive loadings imposed upon the sucker rod at either extremity of its motion in conventional pumping methods. Hydraulically and mechanically-driven apparatus is disclosed for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Nujack Oil Pump Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Stanton
  • Patent number: 4524641
    Abstract: Two piston and cylinders 13, 15 and 16, 18 control the force reaction of a roller mounting in a continuously-variable-ratio transmission of the rolling traction type. A pressure control valve 23 controls the net force on the roller mounting by controlling the relative pressure in two pressure lines which include the cylinders. A flow dividing valve 22 equalizes the flows in the lines by feedback across two identical orifices 26, 27. Excessive displacements of the roller mounting (which could cause the rollers to run off their toroidal races) are controlled by ports 19, 20, which are restricted at respective ends of the permissible movement. The restriction causes a pressure build up in the cylinder which resists that threatening the original overshoot, while restricting the effect of the pressure control valve by virtue of the action of the orifices 26, 27 and flow dividing valve 22, and this also reduces the pressure which originally threatened the overshoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Leyland Vehicles Limited
    Inventor: Christopher J. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 4525159
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt and pulley transmission which is preferably but not essentially an infinitely variable transmission. The belt is formed from a stack of individual blocks working in compression and supported on one or more support bands. According to the invention, the blocks are formed from sintered metal material, while the bands which support and compress the blocks are made from aramide fibres, such as KEVLAR. Every tenth block is of sintered bronze, to reduce the risk of seizing, the remaining blocks being of sintered iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Rene Filderman, Michel Pilache
  • Patent number: 4525153
    Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path and a method of making the same are provided, the tensioner comprising a support unit for being fixed relative to the belt, a belt engaging unit carried by the support unit and being movable relative thereto, a mechanical spring unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit for urging the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit and against the belt with a force to tension the belt, and a fluid dampening unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit to dampen the movement of the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit in at least one direction of movement thereof with a restricting force of the dampening unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Dayco Corporation
    Inventor: Leslie B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4523493
    Abstract: A transmission is mounted transversely in an agricultural or construction vehicle with a chassis frame. The transmission components are arranged substantially on two main shafts which are parallel, one to the other, and transverse to the engine input shaft. The drive runs, on the engine side, through a bevel gear drive. The transmission housing is formed of two shells and the plane of the joint therebetween contains the axial centerlines of the main shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Heinz Wei.beta.
  • Patent number: 4522079
    Abstract: A power input and output system for continuously variable transmission units of the type in which a nutatable traction body is supported both for rotation on the body axis and for nutational movement in which the body axis travels in a biconical path about a primary transmission axis. Power input and output members of the transmission unit are each linked to the nutatable body by gearing to be in direct torque transmitting relationship only with the nutatable body and so that the nutational component of movement is the result solely of traction surfaces on the body being in rolling frictional engagement against complementing and fixed traction surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Yves J. Kemper
  • Patent number: 4522614
    Abstract: An automatic tension maintaining power transmission belt, a method of making the same and a method for maintaining tension in a rubber belt transmission. The belt is made by embedding polyester fiber cord employing a polyester of high relative viscosity and after being subjected to a hot stretching process as a tensile member in rubber forming the belt. The thermal contraction force of the polyester cord is to be substantially maintained by avoiding shrinkage of the belt during vulcanization.The belt of the present invention is characterized by exhibiting shrinkage of said polyester fiber cords through thermal contractive forces caused by frictional heat generated by slippage of the belt upon lowering of belt tension during belt running. The minimum tension necessary for transmission of power is recovered, the slippage is eliminated for a while and proper tension is maintained. Such automatic action repeats when it becomes needed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsuoka, Yutaka Furukawa
  • Patent number: 4522080
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a cam and a cam gear mounted on a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The cam gear is constructed of a laminated stack of flat plate members which are disposed in abutting relationship to one another to form a plurality of axially spaced and radially extending interfaces. The cam gear is press fit onto the camshaft and the frictional forces between the gear and the camshaft provide the substantially sole force for maintaining the interfaces between the plate members in abutting relationship at their radially outer ends to form integral tooth members. The cam is also constructed of a laminated stack of flat plate members and press fit onto the camshaft in substantially the same manner as the gear to form an integral cam surface. The plates which form the cam are stamped from the plates that form the gear. A method of forming the wheel assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corp.
    Inventor: John D. Santi
  • Patent number: 4520682
    Abstract: A mechanism for converting rotary drive motion into reciprocal rectilinear motion including structure for varying the length of the rectilinear stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Mid-West Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Eitzinger
  • Patent number: 4520685
    Abstract: In an automotive manual transmission having a common fork shaft on and along which a plurality for shift forks are slidable and a control rod which is rotatable about and slidable along the axis thereof which is normal to the axis of the common fork shaft, there is provided a shaft control mechanism which converts the axial movement of the control rod to a sliding movement of selected one of the shift forks along the axis of the common fork shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kotei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4521208
    Abstract: A tension-adjusting assembly for driving belts, such as driving belts for controlling the timing shaft of internal combustion engines, includes a device for neutralizing the effects of the variations of the distance between the axes of the pulleys, as caused by thermal expansions of the supports for the pulley journals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Doveri
  • Patent number: 4519267
    Abstract: In an automotive manual transmission including a control rod which, for establishing a speed change of the transmission, is rotated about its axis and then moved along the axis, there is proposed an arrangement which comprises an arm secured to the control rod, a hollow holder secured to the transmission housing and having at its side wall section a through hole, a piston axially movably received in the holder and having at its side section a recess which opens to the through hole of the holder, the piston being contactable with the top of the arm when the arm is rotated with the control rod by a predetermined degree in a direction toward the piston, a spring for biasing the piston toward the top of the arm so that upon contact of the piston with the top of the arm, the arm and thus the control rod are biased to rotate about the axis of the control rod in a direction away from the piston, a detent ball slidably received in the through hole of the holder with a portion thereof projected into the recess of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kotei Takahashi