Patents Examined by Richard Ridley
  • Patent number: 8876645
    Abstract: A coupling plate of a detent lever is assembled to an oil-pressure control device, wherein a transmission casing is a base for an assembling process. A slider of a range sensor coupled to the coupling plate is assembled to the transmission casing via a sensor body. A spool of a manual valve coupled to the coupling plate is assembled to the transmission casing via a valve body fixed to the sensor body. The coupling plate, the slider and the spool are assembled together, wherein the transmission casing is used as the base for the assembling process. It is not necessary to relatively position the slider and the spool to each other during the assembling process for an oil-pressure control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Takagi
  • Patent number: 8616775
    Abstract: Provided is a roller bearing device, which is suitable for preventing misdetection of a rotation sensor when a moment load is applied. A thin motor 100 includes a cross roller bearing 14 having an inner ring 14a and an outer ring 14b, a stator 22 supported by the inner ring 14a, a rotor 12 supported by the outer ring 14b, a motor unit 16 that applies rotation torque to the rotor 12, and a resolver 30 that detects a rotation angle position of the rotor 12. The resolver 30, the cross roller bearing 14, and the motor unit 16 are arranged in the recited order from the radially inner side on a radially identical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayao Watanabe, Masaki Kuwahara, Kazuhiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8464609
    Abstract: An articulable crankset for converting a pedal-powered vehicle into a push-powered vehicle is provided. The articulable crankset can be in a retracted position to provide at least less of an obstruction to a user's legs during use of the push-powered vehicle than a non-retractable crankset. The vehicle can be a bicycle, and the articulable crankset can be a component of a production bicycle or a component of a conversion kit that will convert a bicycle from a pedal-powered bicycle to a convertible bicycle that can also function as a push-powered bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kroozn, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kinting Shiu, Vanessa Chen-Hwa Shiu
  • Patent number: 8449191
    Abstract: A sleeve support portion is arranged to support a sleeve having a rotating shaft inserted therein such that the rotating shaft is rotatable. A plurality of ribs extending in an axial direction is provided on an inner surface of the sleeve support portion. The ribs are preferably spaced from each other in a circumferential direction centered on the rotating shaft, and arranged to make contact with at least a portion of the sleeve. The ribs include a plurality of types of ribs, each type of the ribs having a different axial position of an axial edge, on an axially opening portion side, of a contact surface thereof which is arranged to make contact with the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Teshima, Koji Muraoka, Kiyoto Ida
  • Patent number: 8443698
    Abstract: A rotary indexing table having a plate which has drivers engaging into a driving groove of a barrel cam is provided. The plate is drivable via a barrel cam to make a rotary movement about an axis of rotation which is in turn drivable by a motor to make a first rotary movement about its longitudinal axis. An additional drive element connected drive-wise to the barrel cam is provided which is coupled to the plate via at least one coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Weiss GmbH Sondermaschinentechnik Buchen
    Inventor: Stanislav Cafuta
  • Patent number: 8424413
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjustable pieces of furniture is provided with a coupling including a transmission and sub-coupling structure, where the transmission and sub-coupling structure is constructed in such a way that at least one secondary transmission is always adjusted whether one primary transmission is actuated or whether the another primary transmission is actuated. At least two catch decouplers are provided in such a way that when the at least one primary transmission is adjusted, and disengaged by an adjustment of an associated actuator, the transmission and sub-coupling structure is always also entrained and adjusted, while one of the catch decouplers cooperates with the transmission and sub-coupling structure in such a way that the adjusting or pivoting transmission and sub-coupling structure leaves a second secondary transmission and/or the second actuator unchanged in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Steelcase Werndl AG
    Inventor: Josef Rutz
  • Patent number: 7980763
    Abstract: A motion guide device having a novel scoop section structure whose scoop section is not likely to break even if a movement member is moved at high speed. A scoop section (22) of a movement block (12) scoops balls (13) that roll in a ball rolling groove (11a) of a raceway rail (11) and introduces them into no-load ball return paths (17, 20). The scoop section (22) is formed in a Gothic arch groove shape in which the scoop section (22) is in two-point contact with a ball (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Michioka, Hiroaki Mochizuki, Takashi Sakuyama
  • Patent number: 7934437
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device, especially for use in a throttle device, comprising a turning spindle rotatably mounted in the device housing. Said turning spindle is functionally linked via a transmission device with a drive device to displace an actuating element that is linked with the turning spindle. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved actuating device that is secure and has a simple design and that can be telecontrolled in a simple manner without major maintenance work, without losses of functionality of the actuating device and at reduced costs. To this end, the actuating device comprises at least two separately or synchronously operated motors and the transmission device has at least one self-locking transmission unit, said transmission unit being functionally linked with the two motors for turning the turning spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus Biester
  • Patent number: 7425186
    Abstract: An articulated-arm assembly for a friction gear of an internal combustion engine that is equipped with belt-driven auxiliary assemblies. The assembly comprises a friction wheel which is urged into engagement with a belt of the auxiliary belt drive, and an articulated arm which guides the friction wheel and can be pivoted about an axis. This arrangement provides a compact articulation that uses existing installation space for the mounting of the articulated-arm assembly. The articulated arm is provided on a mounting unit with a pivot actuator, and preferably with a fixing device configured as a multi-part housing that permits the entire articulated-arm assembly to be mounted on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Lemberger
  • 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: 7410301
    Abstract: This mounting system features a base displaced from a mounting plate which is used to anchor a base mounted receiver releasably. The base has a pair of flexible arms to engage the receiver in channels that have a catch edge at the ends of the channels. The base is constructed with at least one stabilizer element and the receiver has an appropriate alignment slot. Each mounting plate, on both the base and receiver, have a plurality of apertures to facilitate attachment to fabric or a fabric patch or a fabric envelope which thereby allows attachment to different fabric devices together in a releasable yet secure manner. Those devices are to be from the following group, non-exclusive; backpack, jacket, hunting jacket, binocular case, knife case, compass case, first aid case, ammunition pouch, animal call case, web gear, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Martin Menges, Thomas Elicker
  • Patent number: 7406893
    Abstract: In a clearance-free supporting structure for a pivotal axle applicable to an operation device of a multi-stage automatic transmission, at least one pair of first projections is formed on a housing between which the pivotal axle is inserted to enable a pivotal movement of the pivotal axle, a pair of left and right truncated cone shaped portions are formed on the pivotal axle, at least one pair of second projections is formed on the housing to graspably contact with the pair of left and right truncated cone shaped portions to enable the pivotal movement of the pivotal axle, at least one recessed portion formed on the housing at a position placed in proximity to a base portion of each of the pair of first projections to enable a slidable contact thereof with the pivotal axle, and a biasing device biases the pivotal axle to be pressed toward the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakon, Norihito Shioji
  • Patent number: 7395734
    Abstract: A vehicle brake apparatus includes (a) a brake operating member operable by a vehicle driver; (b) a variable output mechanism which is disposed between the brake operating member and an output member, for mechanically changing a multiplying ratio of an output force in relation to an operational input force from the brake operating member in accordance with an operating stroke of the brake operating member; and (c) a brake controlling unit which is operated in accordance with the output force applied to the output member, wherein a load sensor for detecting the output force is provided between the variable output mechanism and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Fujiwara, Takashi Hayashihara, Hiroyuki Masumo
  • Patent number: 7384369
    Abstract: A friction wheel drive for an internal combustion engine's a unit belt drive for a secondary unit includes a control system, a friction wheel that engages frictionally with an outer side of a belt in a wrap-around portion of a drive wheel of the internal combustion engine and that is controlled by the control system to engage or disengage frictionally with a drive wheel of the secondary unit, and a guidance system having an arc section for guiding the movement of the friction wheel with the control system. The arc section is arranged equidistant from the axis of rotation of the drive or driven wheel relative to the driven wheel to the outside of the belt in the wrap-around portion for turning the secondary unit on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Rudolf Wimmer, Heinz Lemberger
  • Patent number: 7384356
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pulley cover assembly for a motorcycle transmission which can securely support a pulley to minimize an shivering phenomenon thereof caused when a load is applied to the rotating pulley, thereby attenuating noise due to the shivering phenomenon and improving a rotational performance of the pulley. Further, the pulley cover assembly can ensure convenient clutch operation through the use of a hydraulic clutch operating mechanism. The clutch operating mechanism includes a hydraulic casing integrally formed at the pulley cover and having a hydraulic oil inlet passage and a hydraulic oil outlet passage, and a piston disposed inside the hydraulic casing while being fixed to an end of the clutch rod of the motorcycle transmission. Such a clutch operating mechanism is adapted to supply hydraulic power into the hydraulic casing to permit the piston to linearly move the clutch rod by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Heon K. Kim
  • 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: 7377193
    Abstract: A composite tubular housing for an automotive steering system, preferably an electronic power assist steering system, is formed of seamless metal tube section welded into an integral component. The housing includes a rack section and a pinion section having an opening that is welded to the rack section. A yoke section is formed of a tube having an end that is welded to the rack section opposite the pinion section. The pinion section may contain a drive pinion coupled to a steering wheel of the vehicle. The housing may also include sections for an assist pinion coupled to an electric motor, and a yoke which are attached to the rack section apart from the drive pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Bowling, Edward Francis McElmeel, Jr., Sunil Palakodati
  • 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: 7367916
    Abstract: A belt drive for a secondary unit of an internal combustion engine includes a friction wheel drive having a friction wheel, a cam device for adjusting the engagement of the friction wheel to the drive wheel of the secondary unit, the cam device having a cam, a swivel arm by which the friction wheel is connected to the cam which is rotationally mounted on a side of the engine, and a spring biasing the swivel arm in a tension direction. The friction wheel is in permanent position of frictional engagement with a drive wheel of the secondary unit to drive the secondary unit and with an outside of a belt on a drive wheel of the internal combustion engine or of another secondary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Rudolf Wimmer, Peter Foessl, Philipp Wieser, Heinz Lemberger
  • Patent number: 7367427
    Abstract: A lubrication system for supplying lubricants between two environments is provided. The first environment is disposed within a first housing and the second environment is disposed within a second housing having a supply opening and an exhaust opening. The system includes a lubricant supply tube disposed within the supply opening and configured to supply lubricant from the first environment to the second environment. The system also includes a receptacle disposed within the second housing and configured to receive lubricant supplied from the supply tube and to hold a predetermined volume of the lubricant. A check valve is disposed within the second housing and is in fluid communication with the exhaust opening. The check valve is configured to receive overflow lubricant from the receptacle, if the lubricant exceeds the predetermined volume and to provide a seal between the first and second environments in response to a pressure differential therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Louie T. Gaines, Kellan P. Geck, Todd A. Langston, David M. Mathis, Jennifer L. Zonneveld