Patents Examined by Mariano Sy
  • Patent number: 9532656
    Abstract: A floor brake assembly for an article of furniture includes a base adapted to be affixed to an article of furniture, a plunger having a brake pad at a plunger first end where the brake pad engages a floor and a second position where the brake pad is free of the floor, a pivot arm rotatably mounted to the base, a first activation arm pivotally mounted to the base, and a second activation arm pivotally mounted to the base. The pivot arm is rotated to a braking position and an unbraking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Johnson, Steven Stieglitz, Martin J. Krause, Jr., Anthony J. Warncke
  • Patent number: 9533732
    Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Sante Pelot
  • Patent number: 9528565
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper includes: a cylinder and a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly includes a piston; a working fluid within the cylinder; a bypass cylinder surrounding the cylinder and defining a cylindrical bypass channel; an adjustable bypass port fluidly coupling an interior of the cylinder and the cylindrical bypass channel; and a remotely operable bypass valve slidably disposed within the cylindrical bypass channel, the remotely operable bypass valve configured for, upon actuation of an actuator coupled with the remotely operable bypass valve, adjusting a flow of the working fluid through the adjustable bypass port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Patent number: 9518629
    Abstract: Safety or protective devices for use in preventing or limiting injury to players impacting against sports equipment use compression coil springs, gas springs, foam or combinations thereof to absorb force during the impact. Particular embodiments are configured for use at the edge of a glass viewing and shielding panel disposed atop the boards of a hockey rink, for example such edges typically found at the team bench of a conventional hockey rink. A shock absorbing system of the device is positioned so as not to reach beyond the plane of the glass into the area of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Gilkes
  • Patent number: 9518626
    Abstract: Canted coil spring rings each with a first plurality of coils having first coil major and minor axes; a second plurality of coils each having second coil major and minor axes; the coils of the first plurality of coils alternating with the coils of the second plurality of coils according to an alternating pattern. The spring rings having inner and outer perimeters and wherein the inner perimeter of the spring ring is defined by at least said first plurality of coils. The resulting configuration of the spring ring has improved spacing along the inner perimeter, among others, with respect to a similar canted coil spring ring having a constant coil cross section, such as a coil length with all similar coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9517781
    Abstract: An air spring for railroad cars includes an air spring part formed by an upper support on a vehicle body side, an intermediate support arranged therebelow, and a diaphragm made of rubber and extending between the upper support and the intermediate support; and an elastic mechanism b formed by a rubber mass 5 interposed between the intermediate support and a lower support 4 on a bogie side arranged therebelow. The rubber mass 5 has an end in contact with the lower support 4 formed as an enlarged end 5A increasing in diameter as approaching the lower support 4 in a vertical direction. An outer circumferential portion of this enlarged end is fitted in and bonded to an annular groove 12 formed in the lower support 4, and the annular groove 12 has an annular bottom 12A inclined to decrease in height radially outwards to have an annular tapered bottom 12a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9512890
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a caliper body (2) of a caliper assembly for parking disc brake, said caliper body (2) comprising a channel (14), said axial channel (14) being defined by at least one wall having at least one flattened length forming at least one guide surface (15; 16); at least one portion of caliper body (10) projecting towards the disc or above the disc (3), said portion of caliper body (10) comprising a surface facing the disc (11) or at least the friction material (12) of said pad (8), and wherein said surface facing the disc (11) has a flattened length forming at least one abutment surface (12; 13) and wherein said at least one guide surface (15; 16) is oriented differently with respect to said at least one abutment surface (12; 13) so as to avoid that they are mutually coplanar; said guide surface (15; 16) is suitable to face an opposite guide surface (25; 26) provided for on an associable supporting plate (21, 22) of an associable pad (8) in order to allow the positioning and sliding thereof ag
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Nessi, Adriano Bonetti, Cristian Crippa
  • Patent number: 9511977
    Abstract: A friction brake (1) for braking a rail-guided transport device (26), in particular a lift (elevator), having at least one brake lever (15) with a brake lining (4), which can be pressed against a rail (2) in order to brake the transport device (26), and with an actuator (6) for actuating the at least one brake lever (15). According to the invention, a solid body joint (36) is proposed, which has at least one web (37) to which a brake lever (3) is fastened, wherein the web (37) twists about the longitudinal axis (38) thereof when the brake lever (3) performs a pivoting movement. Moreover, according to the invention, means (42, 42?, 50, 52) are provided, which limit or prevent deflection of the web (37) in the lateral direction (x).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: gomtec GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Schautt
  • Patent number: 9506518
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber (CPVA) absorbs vibration and transmits a torque between an output of an engine and an input of a transmission of a vehicle. The CPVA includes a plate with at least one retaining member and a first set of vibration absorbers with at least one mass supported by the at least one retaining member. The at least one mass has a predefined movement path with respect to the plate. The CPVA further includes a first torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to a turbine of a torque converter that is selectively engaged with engine, and a second torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to the transmission. The at least one mass absorbs a vibration of a harmonic order generated by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Randy L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 9500250
    Abstract: An impact energy absorber with an excellent impact absorbing performance is obtained by varying rib thickness. The impact energy absorber made of resin and having a single-wall solid plate-like shape includes a planar portion and a projection body. The body includes a pair of side walls that rise from the planar portion and face each other, and a top wall joining the top portions of the walls. When Sa is the sectional area of the body, the area being obtained by cutting the body on the side wall at a vicinity to the top wall in a direction parallel to the top wall, and Sb is the sectional area of the body, the area being obtained by cutting the body on the side wall at a vicinity to the planar portion in a direction parallel to the top wall, 0.35?Sb/Sa?0.75 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: KYORAKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teruo Tamada
  • Patent number: 9500256
    Abstract: This suspension device is provided with a shock absorber (5) that is capable of altering damping force using the position of a piston rod (18) such that at least any one of the following characteristics are achieved, namely, first characteristics in which, within a range where the piston rod (18) is extending out from a cylinder (11) beyond a first predetermined position, the extension-side damping force is in a soft state and the compression-side damping force is in a hard state, and second characteristics in which, within a range where the piston rod (18) is retracted inside the cylinder (11) beyond a second predetermined position, the extension-side damping force is in a hard state and the compression-side damping force is in a soft state; and an operating force adjustment mechanism that is capable of adjusting at least one of the operating force in the roll direction of a vehicle, and the operating force in a pitch direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mikio Yamashita, Fumiyuki Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 9499146
    Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic braking device wherein the heat of a driving coil can be absorbed by a base body, and the heat radiation performance is excellent. The hydraulic braking device having a base body that includes therein a fluid passage for brake fluid, includes: a solenoid valve disposed on one surface of the base body; and a driving coil attached around an axis of the solenoid valve, wherein the one surface of the base body is provided with a wall surface facing an outer circumferential surface of the driving coil. A lower surface of the driving coil is in contact with the one surface of the base body, and a clearance is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the driving coil and the wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: Autoliv Nissin Brake Systems Japan Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Matsunaga, Motoyasu Nakamura, Kazuaki Murayama
  • Patent number: 9487263
    Abstract: A bicycle brake pad includes a cooling plate and a friction plate. The cooling plate has a first surface and a second surface. The cooling plate includes a pad supporting section and a heat dissipation section. The friction pad is connected to the pad supporting section of the cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Takashi Fujitani
  • Patent number: 9475477
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing transient brake caliper drag in a motor vehicle are provided. The motor vehicle, for example, may include, but is not limited to, an axle, a rotor coupled to the axle, a brake caliper comprising a brake pad configured to engage the rotor, a brake pedal assembly communicatively coupled to the brake caliper, the brake pedal assembly configured to receive user input directing the brake pad to apply a force to the rotor and user input directing the brake pad to disengage the rotor, and a processor coupled to the brake caliper, wherein the processor is configured to determine, after the brake pedal assembly receives user input directing the brake pad to disengage the rotor, the force applied to the rotor, and command the brake caliper to retract the brake pad away from the rotor when the determined force exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Begleiter, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 9476476
    Abstract: A shock absorber including a cylindrical outer shell and a piston rod slidably inserted into the outer shell, the shock absorber includes a cylindrical dust cover coupled to the piston rod and permitting an entry of the outer shell to inside thereof; and an annular dust filter whose inner peripheral side is attached to the outer shell and whose outer periphery is brought into slidable contact with an inner periphery of the dust cover at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Takeo
  • Patent number: 9469285
    Abstract: A brake arrangement for a vehicle having a cardan brake and separate left and right brakes. The left brake activated by movement of a first lever and the right brake is activated by movement of a second lever. The left brake, right brake and the cardan brake are activated together by movement of both levers together, characterized in that the cardan brake is connected to a fluid supply in a circuit which comprises a first and a second brake valve arranged in series and the first brake valve is operable by the first lever and the second brake valve is operable by the second lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO INternational GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Zeiler, Klaus Brugger
  • Patent number: 9464681
    Abstract: A parking brake apparatus may include: a housing; a gear unit installed in the housing, and rotated by operation of a motor unit; a nut screw part connected to the gear unit, and rotated by the rotation of the gear unit; a bolt screw coupled the nut screw part so as to pass through the nut screw part, and moved in a longitudinal direction inside the nut screw part in connection with the rotation of the nut screw part; a cable connected to the bolt screw; a piston unit installed to be slidably moved in the housing, and having one side through which the cable passes and the other side which is extended toward the nut screw part; and an elastic member arranged between an inner wall of the housing and the piston unit, and elastically deformed as the piston is slidably moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Choong Sik Shin, Jae Hyun Park, Ha Min Jung, Chun Su Kim
  • Patent number: 9457784
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a brake hydraulic pressure generating device, including: a master cylinder, a stroke simulator and an on/off valve. The on/off valve opens/closes a branch hydraulic pressure passage, which branches from a main hydraulic pressure passage. The on/off valve includes a first valve mechanism including a first valve portion and a first valve seat, and a second valve mechanism including a second valve portion and a second valve seat. The first valve seat is formed in the second valve portion. A pressure receiving area in which brake hydraulic pressure acting from the stroke simulator side is received is set to be higher in the second valve portion than in the first valve portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tokoi, Kouji Sakai
  • Patent number: 9440524
    Abstract: A mount apparatus (20) for supporting a vibration source on a base is provided. The mount apparatus (20) includes a moving member (134) that is partially disposed in a pumping chamber (64) for moving within the pumping chamber (64) along a first axis (A) to create a volume change in the pumping chamber (64) to maintain the volume of the pumping chamber (64) to prevent a pressure increase in the pumping chamber (64) during the deformation of a flexible body (46) in response to an external excitation to effectively cancel the external excitation. The moving member (134) includes a moveable wall (144) of a flexible material, having a generally hour glass-shape in steady state, and extending between moving member upper and lower ends (140, 142). The moveable wall (144) flexes radially outwardly and inwardly relative to the first axis (A) in response to relative axial movement between the moving member upper and lower ends (140, 142), to amplify the volume change in the pumping chamber (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BeijingWest Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alireza Farjoud, David John Barta, Brent Wade Fourman, Chad Michael, Eric Louis Schumann
  • Patent number: 9441688
    Abstract: A brake disc includes a friction ring and a pot arranged concentrically in an opening of the friction ring. The pot has a pot gearing system with at least one pot tooth space, on which a flap is molded, which projects radially in the direction of a corresponding annular tooth of an annular gearing system of the friction ring and radially overlaps the annular tooth on a first axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Isenmann, Ralph Mayer, Niculo Steinrisser