Patents Examined by Thomas Irvin
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Patent number: 9616727Abstract: A shock absorber mounting device joins a shock absorber provided between an axle and a vehicle body to the vehicle body. The shock absorber mounting device includes a magnetic rubber mount having magnetic particles thereinside and being provided between the shock absorber and the vehicle body, an electromagnetic coil configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic particles, and a controller configured to supply an excitation current to the electromagnetic coil.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: KYB CorporationInventors: Atsushi Ogawa, Keiji Saito
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Patent number: 9616728Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper comprises a cylinder and a piston assembly including a damping piston along with working fluid within the cylinder. A bypass permits fluid to avoid dampening resistance of the damping piston. A fluid path through the bypass is controlled by a valve that is shifted by a piston surface when the contents of at least one predetermined volume is injected against the piston surface which acts upon the valve. In one embodiment, the bypass is remotely operable.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventor: John Marking
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Patent number: 9618078Abstract: A vibration isolator includes: a pair of opposing members fixed to a vehicle body of the vehicle to be located on both sides of a protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential edge of the power train in a direction perpendicular to the principal axes of inertia to oppose to each other in the direction about the principal axes of inertia; a precompressed part provided on part of each of the opposing members facing the protrusion to be precompressed by the opposing member and the protrusion in the direction about the principal axes of inertia; and a contacting part provided on part of each of the opposing members facing the protrusion to be spaced from the protrusion, and contacts the protrusion when the power train vibrates in the direction about the principal axes of inertia.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignees: KURASHIKI KAKO CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Yoshinori Kondo, Kazuo Miyake, Sumio Uchida, Hidehito Kondo
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Patent number: 9610819Abstract: A shock absorber system can includes a shock tube and a piston slidably mated to an end of the shock tube. The system can include a first mount on the piston for attaching to a first point on a motor vehicle. A second mount can be positioned on the shock tube near an end of the shock tube opposite the piston. The second mount can be positioned offset from an axial centerline of the shock tube. In some cases, the system can include a stabilizing device connected to the second mount. The system can include a heat sink reservoir. The heat sink reservoir can be connected to the shock tube via a valved fluid connection.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS LLCInventor: Dylan Samuel Evans
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Patent number: 9605724Abstract: A brake assembly that may have a camshaft sensor module. The camshaft sensor module may include a sensor that may generate a signal indicative of rotation of a camshaft. A sensor bracket may hold the sensor in a fixed position relative to a bracket assembly that may receive the camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventor: Ryo Okuma
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Patent number: 9599174Abstract: A brake device includes: an outer race having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface; at least two brake cams arranged inside the outer race in a circumferential direction, each brake cam having brake surfaces located at both ends in the circumferential direction of a side of the brake cam facing the outer race, each brake surface being contactable with the inner peripheral surface of the outer race; and an output-side rotary member arranged at radially inner sides of the respective brake cams, the output-side rotary member including contact portions contactable with surfaces of the brake cams facing the radially inner sides. Contact points at which the respective contact portions and the respective brake cams are contactable are on an axis-of-rotation side of a both-end reference plane (plane connecting outer ends of the respective brake surfaces located at the both ends of to corresponding brake cam), or on the both-end reference plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroyuki Kaku
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Patent number: 9598035Abstract: An impact absorber includes a energy absorbing member that is formed of a composite material obtained by reinforcing a resin with a fiber and absorbs impact energy by being crushed in a predetermined crush direction, and a pressing member that is disposed on the front side of the energy absorbing member and presses it in the crush direction to thereby crush the energy absorbing member. The energy absorbing member is configured by stacking, along a radial direction orthogonal to the crush direction, fiber layers having different elastic moduli to a load along the crush direction, and the front end portion of the energy absorbing member is inclined relative to a pressing surface of the pressing member such that the fiber layers are gradually brought into contact with the pressing member sequentially in ascending order of the elastic modulus as the energy absorbing member is pressed by the pressing member.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuya Mukainakano, Satoshi Ikeda, Isamu Nagasawa
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Patent number: 9593732Abstract: An anti-vibration device comprising first and second strength members interlinked by an elastomer body adapted to work in compression mode along a main vibration axis is disclosed. The first strength member is fitted in a slider of a support, in a direction of fitting perpendicular to the main vibration axis. The first strength member is blocked in the slider by snap-fitting.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: HutchinsonInventors: Pascal Thierry, Patrick Loriot, Pascal Petit, Mickael Desmoulins
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Patent number: 9592799Abstract: One embodiment provides an electronic control unit including: a base body; a control circuit board that controls electric parts; and a housing that is attached to one surface of the base body. The housing includes an accommodating portion which accommodates the control circuit board thereinside and a flange. The flange includes an attaching hole penetrating therethrough. A part of the accommodating portion is positioned on an extension of a center axis of the attaching hole. An attaching pin projects from the one surface of the base body so as to be inserted into the attaching hole. An attaching portion is formed on the attaching pin so as to be positioned between the flange and the accommodating portion. An elastic member is attached to the attaching portion so as to bias the flange toward the one surface of the base body.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.Inventor: Masatoshi Iyatani
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Patent number: 9593729Abstract: A brake assembly includes a housing, a brake element configured to be operatively associated with an axle for resisting rotation of the axle, and a piston configured to be selectively moved into and out of braking engagement with the brake element. The brake assembly further includes a slack adjustment mechanism for limiting movement of the piston when the piston is moved out of braking engagement with the brake element. The slack adjustment mechanism includes a shuttle configured to be engaged by the piston, and a plurality of stop elements carried by the shuttle and configured to be moved off the shuttle into a well of the housing. Movement of the piston is stopped when the shuttle engages an end wall of the well or one of the stop elements in the well.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Josh Nolke, Mirko Barbir, John Gates
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Patent number: 9587701Abstract: A negative stiffness apparatus includes a fluid filled bellows interposed between a first surface and a second surface wherein the bellows and the first and second surfaces have an orientation of substantial equilibrium between the first and second surfaces. The bellows and the first and second surfaces include other orientations wherein the first and second surfaces are displaced from the orientation of substantial equilibrium and the bellows exerts a displacement force to urge the first and second surfaces further away from the orientation of substantial equilibrium.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dvir Brand, Avshalom Suissa, Alon Capua
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Patent number: 9586646Abstract: A bicycle rim brake comprises a first brake arm, a second brake arm, and a pivotal cam member. The first brake arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot axis. The first brake arm includes a first mounting portion and a first follower. The second brake arm is configured to pivot about a second pivot axis which is different from the first pivot axis. The second brake arm includes a second mounting portion and a second follower. The pivotal cam member is configured to pivot about a third pivot axis which is different from the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis to guide the first follower and the second follower so that the first brake arm pivots about the first pivot axis and the second brake arm pivots about the second pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Masahiro Nakakura
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Patent number: 9580134Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.Inventor: Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 9580032Abstract: An impact absorption device configured for use in a vehicle includes a barrier and a base capable of removably securing a barrier at a right angle. The barrier is composed of an impact reducing material. The base is configured to rest beneath a vehicle safety seat or safety seat cradle. The barrier is capable of vertical adjustment relative to the base.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Inventor: Carlos E. Valdes
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Patent number: 9581214Abstract: Systems, devices, uses and methods relating to magnetorhological materials including carbon nanotubes, such as single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, are disclosed. Uses of magnetorheological materials such as in motion damping/vibration isolation are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Lizhi Sun, Hang Sun, Rui Li
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Patent number: 9566964Abstract: A braking device including a travel sensor, which consists of a movable travel indicator and a sensing device for detecting a displacement or position in an actuation direction, wherein the braking device is structurally combined as a compact unit including a housed electronic control unit, a hydraulic unit, and in particular a pump unit, wherein the sensing device is integrated on or in the housed electronic control unit and the sensing device is arranged directly or indirectly on a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is either a main circuit board of the electrohydraulic device or an additional auxiliary circuit board connected to the main circuit board electrically and in particular also mechanically.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHGInventor: Michael Jürgens
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Patent number: 9566926Abstract: A wheel guard or skirt is disclosed for use with a wheel of a machine or appliance. The wheel guard is designed to push an obstruction such as a wire, cable or other debris away from the wheel as the machine is moved along a floor. The wheel guard includes a first base member, having first and second ends, a second base member, having first and second ends, an upstanding first end member positioned between the first ends of the first and second base members and an upstanding second end member positioned between the second ends of the first and second base members. The wheel guard is designed to push obstructions away from the wheel to prevent the wheel from running over the obstruction. The wheel guard may be of one-piece construction.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Inventor: Bryan D. Dubas
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Patent number: 9568060Abstract: A force transmission device for a disc brake operable to move a friction element of the brake into engagement with a rotary brake disc along a first axis in response to a loading from an actuating member, the device comprising: a guide member having a generally cylindrical guide form; a piston comprising a complementary generally cylindrical outer sliding surface slideable within the guide member, wherein; an anti-rotation formation is provided between the guide member and the piston, the formation comprising a recess extending generally parallel to the first axis and a complementary projection.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) LimitedInventors: Refaat Malki, Martin Taylor
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Patent number: 9568059Abstract: A return spring (21) made of a metal plate, for biasing a friction pad (6) in a return direction of separating away from a disc (1) is arranged between the friction pad (6) and a mounting member (2). The return spring (21) includes a fixed portion (22), which is on a base end side fixed to an ear portion (7B) of a back plate (7) of the friction pad (6). Then, an abutment portion (25), which is on a distal end side of the return spring (21), is elastically brought into abutment on an abutment plate portion (13D) of a pad spring (13), which is on the mounting member (2) side at a position on an outer side in a disc radial direction relative to the fixed portion (22).Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Hironobu Yukumi, Shigeru Hayashi, Nobuhiro Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 9561835Abstract: A bicycle brake assembly includes a brake unit, a fixing structure and an alignment structure. The brake unit includes first and second brake arms. The fixing structure is configured to operatively couple the brake unit to a brake supporting portion of a bicycle frame. The alignment structure is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing structure. The alignment structure is configured to align the brake unit to the brake supporting portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Takeshi Takachi, Tsutomu Muraoka