Patents Examined by Timothy McAnulty
  • Patent number: 6655228
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual directional power feed for use with handheld drills or stationary frame mounted power sources. The device comprises a housing, two pairs of wheel bearings rotatably mounted to the housing, a cap rotatably mounted to the housing, and a biasing bearing rotatably mounted to the cap. The cap is rotatable to a first position such that rotation of the threaded cable in a first direction causes the threaded cable to translate along its longitudinal axis in a first direction. The cap is further rotatable to a second position such that rotation of the threaded cable in the first direction causes the threaded cable to translate along its longitudinal axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Further, the present invention discloses a bearing and support assembly for coupling a power feed device to a power unit comprising a support plate and a bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Spartan Tool, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Margherio, Donald J. Borelli
  • Patent number: 6651524
    Abstract: A foot operated throttle for all-terrain vehicles having an engine for propelling the vehicle, two handlebars for steering the vehicle, and a throttle lever connected to one of said two handlebars for controlling the speed of the engine, the foot operated throttle including a foot pedal assembly connected to an all-terrain vehicle for selective actuation by a foot of an operator of an all-terrain vehicle, and a cable assembly connected to the foot pedal assembly and to a throttle lever mounted on a handle bar of the all-terrain vehicle for movement of the throttle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Fred H. Dawson, Jr., Lee C. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6652399
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a set of pulleys mounted on respective pulley shafts (35, 36) and mounted with an endless transmission element for transmitting rotational movement from one pulley to the other, whereby the pulleys are incorporated in the transmission pre-mounted on an common support plate (22). The transmission thereby is provided with a favorable produced housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Van Doorne's Transmissie B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Gerardus Ludovicus Maria Van Spijk, Hendrikus Adrianus Arnoldus Wilhelmina Pelders
  • Patent number: 6651522
    Abstract: Guide ring arranged coaxially with a drive shaft includes locating and locking features ensuring proper orientation of drive and driven shafts, also ensuring proper backlash between gears mounted thereon. Guide ring is inserted through a keyed aperture of a mounting bracket and brought into proximity with the driven shaft frame. Rotation of motor and guide ring in first direction draws shafts into alignment; mounting bracket is attached to driven shaft frame. Motor and guide ring then rotated in opposite direction to second extreme position in which the motor is locked and driven shaft can rotate freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno C. Petocchi, Roger C. Male, Stephen A. Bonelli, Michael J. Hill, Thomas C. Hatch
  • Patent number: 6651526
    Abstract: A steering wheel is manufactured by making a steering wheel core member by forming a first resin layer about a metal core bar, and then attaching outer parts to the outside of this core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Imaizumi, Seiya Nishimura, Toru Makino
  • Patent number: 6644144
    Abstract: A throttle assembly for a tracked vehicle comprises a tube rotatably mounted on a steering member of the vehicle. A throttle housing is mounted on the tube. A throttle lever has a proximal end and a distal end and is pivotally mounted on the throttle housing. The throttle lever is pivotable about the distal end of the throttle lever on the throttle housing. A biasing element provides a biasing force to the tube. The biasing element is connected to the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventor: Yvon Bédard
  • Patent number: 6644439
    Abstract: In a transmission for an internal combustion engine including an oil sump and an oil pump operatively in communication with the oil sump, an oil reservoir is provided for receiving oil from the oil sump when the transmission is in direct drive and power is transmitted only through the main shaft of the transmission while the intermediate shaft is idling so that no friction is generated by the gears of the intermediate shaft being immersed in the oil of the oil sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Detlev Schnitzer
  • Patent number: 6640933
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for use with a bearing including an outer race, an inner race, and bearing elements disposed therebetween. Rotation of the bearing and a shaft journaled thereby induces air movement having a first air velocity and a path adjacent the bearing. The lubrication system includes a structure providing a passageway through which a lubricant entrained in gas is delivered at a second velocity to the bearing. The lubrication system further includes a flow modifier disposed relative to the bearing and the structure to modify the first air velocity to promote movement of the lubricant into the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Rolls Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Henry, Steven Robert Wellborn
  • Patent number: 6634974
    Abstract: A chain guide member used in a chain transmission apparatus, and manufacturing method and apparatus thereof. The chain guide member has a sliding contact section extending along a traveling surface of a chain and coming into sliding contact with the chain, and a reinforcement main body reinforcing and supporting the sliding contact section along the traveling surface of the chain. A part or all of a joint portion between the sliding contact section and the reinforcement main body is joined by melting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Bando Chemical Industries, LTD
    Inventors: Akira Fujiwara, Atsushi Shirakawa, Noriaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6626782
    Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission is provided, which is comprised of metal ring assemblies each having a plurality of endless metal rings laminated one on another, and a plurality of metal elements each having ring slots into which the metal ring assemblies are fitted, and the belt is wound around a drive pulley and a driven pulley to transmit a driving force between the pulleys. When the belt leaves the driven pulley, the metal element falls forward in the direction of advancement with respect to the metal ring assembly. For this reason, a rear end of a saddle surface of the ring slot in the direction of advancement is brought into strong abutment against an inner circumferential surface of the metal ring assembly to produce a concentrated stress, thereby shortening the life of the metal ring assembly. In order to prevent this, the radius of curvature of the rear end of the saddle surface in the direction of advancement is larger than that of its front end to reduce the concentrated stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouhei Ohsono, Shigeru Kanehara
  • Patent number: 6622587
    Abstract: A wheeled walker brake lever mounting arrangement is constructed to include a mounting base frame fixedly fastened to one handlebar of a wheeled walker, a brake cable inserted through the mounting base frame and connected to a brake assembly at rear wheels of the wheeled walker, and a brake lever coupled to the mounting base frame by a slip joint and connected to the brake lever and turned relative to the mounting base frame between a first position where the brake lever is firmly secured in position to pull up the brake cable and to hold the brake cable in the braking position, a second (the neutral) position where the brake lever is loosened, and a third position where the brake lever holds the brake cable temporarily in the braking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: David Wu
  • Patent number: 6615684
    Abstract: A brake pedal mechanism (4) for motor vehicles with a pedal block(5), which is fastened to the body of the motor vehicle and accommodates a mount (18) for the pivot axis (17) of a rotatably mounted actuating pedal (6). The pedal (6) is provided with a pedal surface (9), wherein an actuating element (7) is articulated to the actuating pedal (6) for a brake power booster (1) with a main brake cylinder (2). The pivot axis (17) mounted on the pedal block (5) is arranged on the actuating pedal (6) between the pedal surface (9) and the articulation point (8) of the actuating element (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Metin Ersoy
  • Patent number: 6615685
    Abstract: To avoid a steering shaft changing its orientation during a frontal collision, an automotive pedal support structure equipped with an operating pedal is disposed behind a dash panel of an automotive vehicle and the steering shaft comprising a universal joint disposed in the proximity of the operating pedal. Provided are a first bracket including first and second side wall portions, a connecting portion and a second bracket pivoted to the first bracket so as to be rotated during the frontal collision. The operating pedal is pivoted to the second bracket. During the frontal collision, the universal joint is longitudinally moved relative with respect to the first bracket while contacting with side surfaces of the first and second side wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Miyoshi, Hiroyuki Utsumi, Masamitsu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6615690
    Abstract: The features of a turning disc intermittent rotary mechanism comprise at least one top disc, a through hole disposed at the center of the bottom disc plane, and the lateral side of the peripheral disc plane of the through hole is formed into a plurality of continuous plum blossom-patterned sliding slots; a bottom seat with its central convex section lively connected in the through hole, wherein a round through hole is mounted on the side of the bottom seat; a main driving wheel lively inserted in the round through hole, wherein a small pulley is mounted on the side of the top plane of the main driving wheel and slides inside the sliding slots; the rotation of the main driving wheel enables the small pulley to move inside the sliding slots and further drive the intermittent rotation and dwelling of the top disc, thereby to develop the turning disc in rotation to be designed, according to the need, into a process station with multi braking and dwelling points for providing multi-processing movements for the par
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Chau-Tsung Chen
  • Patent number: 6612197
    Abstract: An axle shift device for transmitting control movements from a remote control to a multi-speed hub in a cycle includes a housing and a pivoted lever arranged in the housing. The axle shift device is arranged on a hub axle of the multi-speed hub. This pivoted lever is in form-locking effective connection with a force transmission element which has a head and is preferably actuated in tension against a return spring. A slide arranged in the housing can move the pivoted lever out of form-locking engagement with the head of the force transmission element, thereby allowing the axle shift device to be removed from the hub axle in a simple manner without the aid of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Steuer, Georg Blaschke
  • Patent number: 6612962
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission (10) comprises input disks (18a, 20a), output disks (18b, 20b) facing the input disks, power rollers (18c, 18d, 20c, 20d) gripped between the input disks and output disks, a pedestal (94) which supports the power rollers free to rotate, trunnions (17a, 17b, 27a, 27b) and roller bearing units (96) which support the pedestals on the trunnions so that they are free to slide in the direction perpendicular to the trunnion gyration axis (19a) and power roller rotation axis (15a), and further comprises projections (100) which limit the slide amount of a cage (96a) of the roller bearing unit relative to the trunnions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruhito Mori
  • Patent number: 6609990
    Abstract: The invention comprises a belt having a plied construction overlying tensile cords. An elastomeric layer overlies an overcord which overlies yet another elastomeric layer which in turn overlies a tensile cord. The overcord layer supports the tensile cords during molding thereby stabilizing a cordline centerline position with respect to a rib apex. This construction significantly reduces a distance from a tensile cord centerline to a rib apex and rib/pulley interface in a multi-ribbed belt, thereby significantly increasing belt life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Craig Kopang
  • Patent number: 6591709
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasably locking the tilt steering column assembly. The apparatus includes a housing, a lock member, a pawl, a rack and a rack trunnion. The rack and the rack trunnion, which are slidable relative to one another, form a link that determines the angle to which the tilt steering column is adjusted. The pawl is pivotably coupled to the rack trunnion and pivotable between a first position, wherein teeth formed on the pawl meshingly engage teeth formed on the rack to fix the position of the rack trunnion relative to the rack, and a second position, wherein the teeth of the pawl are rotated out of engagement with the teeth of the rack to permit the rack trunnion and the rack to be moved relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler Kim, Peter Escobedo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6588560
    Abstract: A pulley unit improved in the axial positioning of the cage of the one-way clutch is disclosed. The outer radius of the orbital portion of the inner rings of two rolling bearings disposed at both axial sides of the cage are designed to be larger than the inner radius of the cage, so that the axial movement of the cage is constrained. Due to this structure, the projecting and recessing portions disposed on the cage of the one-way clutch and on the inner ring become inutile, and these can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6581495
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for a reduced mass balancer shaft that effectively balance first or second order imbalances in an internal combustion engine. The balancer shaft is symmetrical with offset masses that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction and orientation, and preferably comprises front and rear offset masses between a center section and a front and a rear journal respectively. In a preferred embodiment, there integrally formed stiffening members in the front and rear offset masses that symmetric about the balancer shaft centerline. The front and rear offset masses are each comprised of solid partial annular configurations that extend equally away from the balancer shaft centerline. The center section is comprised of an annular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Cagney, James P. Burke