Patents Examined by Matthew A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7490532
    Abstract: A rotatably adjustable apparatus for locating geometric references on a workpiece. The present invention provides a housing having a linear actuator for actuating a locating member between an extended position, wherein the locating member engages the workpiece, and a retracted position, wherein the locating member disengages the workpiece. A substantially cylindrical locking member is connected to the locating member and is disposed within the housing. A releasable striker connected to and accessible from outside the housing matingly engages the locking member in a predetermined angular position to provide angular adjustment to the locating member. A sensing device is connected to the housing and senses the position of the locating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Norgren Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Mulder
  • Patent number: 7487690
    Abstract: An elevating mechanism for furniture installed in a height adjustable article of furniture includes a transmission unit and a rotary handle. The transmission unit utilizes a plurality of cylindrical gears mounted on respective shafts, such that the cylindrical gears will be engaged and rotate simultaneously. A rotary handle serves to activate a rotation of a bolt with respect to a still nut and an upward or downward motion of the article connected to the bolt with respect to the article on which the nut is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Chih Way Liu
  • Patent number: 7487692
    Abstract: A ball nut includes a nut member having an inner thread formed in a bore for threading with a screw member, the nut member includes a recess and an opening communicating with the bore of the nut member for forming one or more anchoring surfaces. A guiding device includes a shank received in the recess of the nut member, and one or more return channels formed in the shank for aligning with the inner thread of the nut member, and an anchoring bar on one end of the shank and engaged in the opening of the nut member. The anchoring bar has one or more end portions for engaging with the anchoring surface of the nut member and for securing the guiding device to the nut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Chung Hsueh Lin, Yan Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7487694
    Abstract: A handlebar is disclosed that includes a handlebar main body, a pair of support walls, a first slit, and a brake lever. The handlebar main body is hollow and is mounted to the handlebar stem. The hollow interior of the handlebar main body is formed with the support walls that extend along at least a portion of the length of the interior of the handlebar main body. The brake lever has a lever body and a brake cable attachment portion. The lever body is pivotally supported by the support walls proximate the first slit. The lever body includes a brake operating portion that extends away from the handlebar main body and a pivot support portion that is pivotally mounted to the support walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Fukui
  • Patent number: 7475613
    Abstract: A powered mechanism able to articulate about two orthogonal tilt axes, the powered mechanism having a sphere pivotally mounted in a ring or band and driven by a first pivotally mounted motor to articulate the sphere about the first axis, and a second pivotally mounted motor mounted to a fixed reference to drive the sphere about the second axis through ring or band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Shin Nippon Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ralph-Peter Steven Bailey
  • Patent number: 7475614
    Abstract: A steering column (10) according to the invention includes a steering column jacket (12) having an engaging surface (14). The steering column jacket (12) is operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft (16) in a vehicle. The steering column (10) also includes a tilt housing (18) engaged with the steering column jacket (12) for tilting movement about a tilt axis (20) between a plurality of tilt positions. The steering column (10) also includes a locking member (22) pivotally supported at a pivot end (24) by the tilt housing (18). The locking member (22) extends to a distal locking end (26) moveable outwardly from the tilt axis (20) along a first arcuate path (28) to a locked position contacting the engaging surface (14) and inwardly towards the tilt axis (20) along the first arcuate path (28) to an unlocked position spaced from the engaging surface (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, David L. Keaner, Philip J. McCarthy, Herbert E. Ziehl
  • Patent number: 7469617
    Abstract: A tension compensation assembly for a mechanical control cable. The tension compensation device has a housing with opposing ends. First and second sections of the control cable pass through but are attached at each end of the housing such that the sheaths of each section are coupled to the housing and reciprocable cable coaxially disposed in each control cable section extend into the housing. The cables are attached to opposing ends of a reciprocably disposed capsule or spring caps generally enclosing a spring. In operation, the capsule moves slidably within the housing over a predetermined travel and tension for the cables. However, if an over-tension condition is experienced, the capsule may bottom out at an end of the housing and the spring will either compress or extend, depending upon its design, thus allowing the effective length of the control cable assembly to increase, thus preventing the stretching or breaking of the cables or damage to cable end fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Basile, Charles Haase
  • Patent number: 7469616
    Abstract: A steering wheel position adjustment device in a steering device includes a tilt telescopic adjustment mechanism. A column housing, through which a column pipe passes and is fixed thereto, is fitted to a fixed bracket so that the column housing can either freely move or be fixed in the axial direction. The column pipe is inserted slidably in an insertion hole of a pivot housing that is fitted to be able to swing freely and be fixed to the front of the column housing in the axial direction. An upper shaft is provided, within the column pipe, that moves together with the column pipe in the axial direction. A lower shaft is provided in the pivot housing. The upper shaft transmits rotation to the lower shaft, and the upper shaft and the lower shaft are connected to be able to slide freely relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Yamada Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Fujiu, Minoru Takakusaki
  • Patent number: 7448295
    Abstract: A tilting circular table device includes: a frame; a tilting table supported on the frame so as to angularly rotate about a first axis; a circular table disposed in the tilting table so as to angularly rotate; an input shaft for rotating the circular table and disposed on the tilting table so as to angularly rotate about a second axis; a drive motor having an output shaft for rotating the input shaft and angularly rotatable about the third axis; and a body portion attached to the frame so as to angularly rotate about the third axis; and a follower mechanism for making the body portion driven about the second axis, following rotation of the tilting table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Omori
  • Patent number: 7444893
    Abstract: A booster actuator 10 may be positioned between the solenoid 12 and a valve 14, and increases the energy output from the solenoid to activate the valve. The booster actuator 10 may include a force input member 28 and a force output member 30 each linearly movable with respect to a body 20 from an initial position to an activated position. A coil spring 46 biases the input member to the initial input position, while a plurality of disk springs 48 bias the output member 30 to the activated output position. A plurality of linking members 32 each pivotable with respect to the body normally retain the force output member in the initial position, but upon movement of the input member to the activated position release the force output member in response to the disk springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ansul Incorporated
    Inventor: James R. Gressel
  • Patent number: 7441477
    Abstract: A gearshift fork assembly is mounted on a shaft for a gearshift fork in a gearbox of a motor vehicle and comprises a hollow body, a gearshift fork, a sleeve and a resilient member. The hollow body is put on the shaft and comprises a first engagement section formed on its outer surface. The gearshift fork comprises a ring at one end, and the ring is put on one end of the hollow body and includes a second engagement section on its inner surface. The second engagement section is adapted to mesh with the first engagement section. The sleeve is put on the other end of the hollow body and comprises a third engagement section formed on its inner surface. The third engagement section is adapted to mesh with the first engagement section. The resilient member is biased between the ring and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chao-Chang Ho
  • Patent number: 7437969
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is provided that includes a first shift operating member, a second shift operating member and a transmission control mechanism. The first shift operating member is pivotally coupled to a first pivot axle for rotation about a first pivot axis to move along a first shifting plane that is perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The second shift operating member is pivotally coupled to a second pivot axle for rotation about a second pivot axis to move along a second shifting plane that is perpendicular to the second pivot axis and intersects the first shifting plane to form an angle equal to or less than about thirty degrees between the first and second shifting planes. The transmission control mechanism is configured to control a bicycle transmission. The transmission control mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second shift operating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 7434492
    Abstract: A clamp member is described for attaching a component to a handlebar. The clamp member includes a substantially rigid body having a concave surface and a liner having a relatively low coefficient of friction. The liner has opposed first and second surfaces. The first surface is adapted for contacting the concave surface of the body, and the second surface is adapted for contacting an adjacent portion of an outer surface of the handlebar. A lever assembly is disclosed that includes the clamp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Morales
  • Patent number: 7428856
    Abstract: The present inventor believes that one of the advantages of the present invention is that when washer 66 abuts the second shoulder 76 and the pin 80 is disengaged from the washer 66the assist mechanism 54 is effectively disengaged from pedal arm 32 and does not impact its operation over the balance of its stroke. Thus assist mechanism 54 only has an effect at the initial portion of the stroke of pedal arm 32, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Vadym Podkopayev
  • Patent number: 7415908
    Abstract: A clamping device includes a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate, the first clamping plate being rotatable between a released position and a clamped position in relation to the second clamping plate. The clamping device further includes a rolling body which establishes contact between the first and second clamping plates. The second clamping plate includes a clamping ramp with a contour for the rolling body so that when the clamping plates are rotated in relation to each other, the space between the clamping plates changes. The first clamping plate has a surface which forms a plane on which the rolling body rolls from the released position to the clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Alexander Zernickel, Thomas Dirnberger, Harald Hochmuth, Guido Grimsmann, Hans Kluemper, Rainer Wilken, Carsten Sass, Holger Kittler
  • Patent number: 7380478
    Abstract: A master controller mechanical interlock including at least one linear cam to actuate multiple interlocks. Operation of the mechanical interlock is determined by the position of two cams, one of which may be connected to a key switch or a direction switch. A third cam may be incorporated to allow or restrict operation of the master controller operator interface when a predetermined configuration is selected of the operator interface, the key switch, and the direction switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Harrington
  • Patent number: 7373854
    Abstract: A bicycle gear-shifting handgrip includes an inner tube fixedly fit over a bicycle handlebar and an outer tube rotatably fit over the inner tube. A casing that is fixed to the handlebar is fit over the inner tube and defines axially spaced front and rear chambers, both surrounding the outer tube. A toothed ring and a detent ring are axially stacked over each other and received in the front chamber. The toothed ring is rotatably fixed but axially movable in the front chamber and has a surface forming plural sets of teeth that are axially biased by a spring to respectively engage detent projections formed on the detent ring. The detent ring is rotatable in unison with the outer tube to induce a camming action between the teeth and the detent projection. A cable-driving ring is received in the rear chamber and is rotatable in unison with the outer tube for pulling a cable coupled to a bicycle derailleur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Po-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 7370554
    Abstract: A moveable control pedal assembly includes a pedal carriage to which a pedal arm is mounted. The pedal carriage can be moved forward and backward via threaded extender rods which engage the pedal carriage to move it along the extender rods when they are rotated. A threaded control rod, extending between the pedal arm and a control device, such as a hydraulic cylinder or control cable, rotates with the extender rods and allows movement of the pedal carriage and pedal arm without altering the mechanical advantage provided by the pedal arm and without altering the lateral positioning of the control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Nebojsa Djordjevic, Richard Olichwier
  • Patent number: 7360469
    Abstract: A shift lever includes: a knob having a opening, which is mounted on the distal end of the lever main body; a moving body, movably arranged in the interior of the lever main body with one end protruding from the opening thereof and is placed in the interior of the knob; an operating unit, which is movably accommodated in the opening portion of the knob; and a link member that is provided in the knob turnably around an axis that is the center of a predetermined region of the base end side; an engaging pin provided at one of the operating unit and the link member; and guide grooves provided such that the engaging pin can be placed in the other of any one of the operating unit and the link member, where from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end is curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shigetoshi Tomida
  • Patent number: 7350437
    Abstract: A handlebar (11,111,211) for cycles and motorcycles, in particular for cross-country use, which is light but at the same time resistant to high intensity shocks and stresses and having an optimized elasticity. The handlebar has a median section (13,113) which presents a central portion (23) having a diameter d23 and a thickness s23 for fixing the handlebar; two end sections (15,17), each of them presenting a central portion (27) having a diameter d27 and a thickness s27 for holding the handlebar; and two intermediate sections (19,21), each of them presenting a central portion (25) having a diameter d25 and a thickness s25 linking to the median section (13) in an inner bending zone (24) and to a corresponding one of the end sections (15,17) in an external bending zone (26) having a thickness s26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hi-Line S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Mangano, Giuseppe Mangano