Patents Examined by William O. Trousdell
  • Patent number: 5297449
    Abstract: A transmission device having a simplified construction as well as a higher power transmission efficiency is provided, wherein a rotational speed can be changed steplessly without interrupting a power transmission and the rotation can be reversed. In the outer periphery of the rotating shaft (2) a thread-shape spline (5) having a first inclined plane oblique to the axial direction is provided and a rotating body (3) having a spline (not-shown) engaging with the spline (5) is rotatably and externally engaged with the rotating shaft (2). One of the rotating shaft (2) or the rotating body (3) is selected as a driving side and the other is selected as a driven side and both or one of the rotating shaft (2) and the rotating body (3) are displaced in the axial direction of the rotating shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Hiroshi Karita
  • Patent number: 5287728
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a press machine comprises a connection link connected to a crankshaft of the press machine and reciprocated in accordance with the rotation of the crankshaft, a first slider provided in a frame of the press machine so as to be reciprocated in a first direction, and pivotally connected to the connection link, a first link mechanism provided with a pair of first links pivotally connected to each other, wherein one of the first links is pivotally connected to either the connection link or the first slider so as to be folded and extended while following up the reciprocating movement of the connection link, a second slider provided in the frame displaceably in the first direction and pivotally connected to the other first link, and a mechanism for adjusting the position of the second slider in the first direction, whereby the bottom dead center position and the stroke length of a slide can be adjusted by a common mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yamada Dobby
    Inventor: Akihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5287743
    Abstract: A manual transmission shifter for operating a pair of transmission control cables includes a shift lever, a base, and a cross having first and second axles defining the first and second intersecting orthogonal axes. The first axle ends are pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement. A shift lever bracket mounts the shift lever and has a pair of spaced legs which are pivotally mounted on the second axle ends to enable relative pivotal movement of the shift lever about the second axis. A cable control member is attached at its lower end to one of the control cables and has a pair of spaced flanges at its upper end which are pivotally attached to the second axle outwardly of the shift lever bracket legs to enable pivotal movement of the cable control member about the second axis independent of pivotal movement of the shift lever. A bellcrank is pivotally mounted on the base on a third axis that is coplanar with the orthogonal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Dura Mechanical Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Miles G. Doolittle, Anthony R. Gurney, William J. LaRocca
  • Patent number: 5287764
    Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a hydraulic power steering system for automotive vehicles, wherein the steering shaft (1 ) is allowed to roll off on the gear rack (3) to a small degree to actuate the steering valve. To enable this rolling motion, the steering shaft (1 ) is supported in a sleeve (9) which, in turn, is supported through needle bearings (10) so as to be rotatable in relation to the steering gear housing (4). To prevent inadvertent steering maneuvers in the event of partial or complete system failure, the needle bearing axis is arranged in parallel to the center line of the steering shaft (1) as well as in one plane with the steering shaft and with the point of force transmission between pinion (2) and gear rack (3). The needle bearing axis is radially outward from the central point of the steering shaft axis than the point of force transmission. A captivated spring (24) is provided to retain the valve slide (19) in its neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Beer
  • Patent number: 5285694
    Abstract: An apparatus for selection and engagement of selectable gear ratios in a change speed transmission is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a shaft mounted in a housing, a plurality of shift forks, and a shift plate. Each of the shift forks is axially movable along the shaft. Each of the shift forks also has a projection extending therefrom. The shift plate has a plurality of first patterns therethrough. Each first pattern includes axial and transverse pathways arranged to receive a corresponding projection such that when one of the projections is not aligned in an axial pathway of one of the first patterns in response to lateral movement of a shifting actuator, the other projections are aligned in axial pathways similarly located in the other first patterns. Subsequent axial movement of the shifting actuator imparts movement to only one shift fork to engage the desired gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Chene
  • Patent number: 5282394
    Abstract: A tilt mechanism for a steering column is pivotally attached to vehicle structure including a bracket member attached to vehicle structure, a collar disposed within the bracket member and adapted to receive the steering column, and structure disposed between the bracket member and the collar for selectively positioning the collar relative to the bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander L. Dominique, Wayne L. Grubaugh, Jr., Michael F. Halacka, James P. Badhorn, Robert A. Welchko, Kenneth G. Kamm
  • Patent number: 5280732
    Abstract: A column type change lever mechanism mounted on a tiltable steering shaft assembly having an upper steering column arranged to be tiltable upwardly or downwardly at a tilt center axis. The column type change lever mechanism is composed of a shift arm rotatably mounted on the upper steering column, a manual change lever connected to the shift arm to be operated for rotating the shift arm, a bell crank mounted on the upper steering column in such a manner as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the tilt center axis and a central axis of the upper steering column and having a first arm pivoted to the shift arm and a second arm pivotally connected to one end of a forwardly extending push-pull cable the other end of which is operatively connected to an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Banno Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Katsumata, Motoharu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 5279173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine having a driven gear, service access to which is partially obstructed. An aspect of the invention involves an aperture permitting access to the driven gear through a spatial area away from the obstructed region. The driven gear includes a plurality of arc-like segments mounted on a spider for removal individually and the dimensions of at least one segment and the aperture are cooperatively selected to permit a segment to be removed through the aperture to the spatial area. Segments of the driven gear may thereby be removed for service while yet avoiding removal of the driving gear or other substantial disassembly. A method for replacing the driven gear includes forming the aperture, detaching a segment and removing the segment through the aperture to the spatial area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Hartnischfeger Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Blaszynski, Jerry C. Sem
  • Patent number: 5277077
    Abstract: A modular vehicle transmission shifter mechanism and method of manufacture in which the shifter mechanism is so constructed that it is adapted for use with different transmissions of different vehicles by providing standard components for supporting a pawl detent member and a position feel detent member. The standard components include a detent support member having attachments cooperating with attachments on the detent members, such attachments for each pawl member and said attachments for each position feel detent member being identical requiring only the change in configuration in the notches of the pawl detent member and the undulations in the position feel detent member. This shifter includes a unique shifting handle assembly and an improved support structure for the detent support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products, Div. of JSJ Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Osborn
  • Patent number: 5275064
    Abstract: A telescoping platform assembly able to convert each unit of distance moved by a driver into two, four, or greater number of units of platform extension includes five or more interconnected slide members. The interconnected slide members are extended by operation of a powered driver coupled to the second slide member cooperating with first, second, and third cable and pulley mechanisms. The first cable and pulley mechanism couples the first, second, and third slide members together so that the third slide extends twice as far as the second slide member. The second cable and pulley mechanism couples the second, third, and fourth slide members together so that the fourth slide members extends three times as far as the second slide member. The third cable and pulley mechanism couples the third, fourth, and fifth slide members together so that the fifth slide member extends four times as far as the second slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: General Devices Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 5271290
    Abstract: An actuator assembly (14) suitable for use in a hand controller (10) with six degrees of freedom of movement consists of a pair of arms (20) each secured at one end to a respective rotary actuator (26), and at the other end secured to a common universal joint (21). The arms (20) are coupled directly to the drive shafts (25) of the rotary actuators (26) and their movement is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Patrick J. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5271285
    Abstract: A hydraulic starter for gas turbine engines comprises a one piece shaft located in a motor cylinder block and having an internally splined end that extends outside of the cylinder block and is adapted to receive a coupling shaft that in turn engages a turbine shaft, a clutch concentrically mounted about the shaft in the cylinder block and shaft bearings also concentrically mounted about the shaft in the cylinder block. The starter also includes a valve plate and at least one outer bearing, and may include a spring member. The valve plate and the at least one outer bearing support the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Loron E. Silliman, Jr., Gregory J. Warner, Howard E. Huber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5269731
    Abstract: A vehicle differential unit including adjustable bearing assemblies has a differential carrier adapted to support a differential case assembly including differential case bearings associated therewith The differential case bearing assemblies rotatably support the differential case assembly within the carrier of the differential unit. Adjusting rings are provided and supported internally in a pair of axle tubes associated with the differential carrier. The adjusting rings are selectively biased against the bearing assemblies to impart the desired bearing preload and backlash within the differential unit. The adjusting rings replace the use of adjustment shims, and are accessible to permit adjustment if necessary without the need to remove the differential case assembly. The adjusting rings are threadably supported within the axle tubes to provide a rigid construction which simplifies constuction and adjustment of the differential unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Royston C. Scudder, Jun Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5269734
    Abstract: A gear reducing device which includes a housing, an input drive system characterized by an input shaft having one end projecting from one end of the housing and the opposite end rotatably terminating in one end of an output shaft, a spur and pinion gear mounted on the input shaft, a pair of input spur gears seated in oppositely-disposed relationship on the spur and pinion gear and carrying corresponding auxiliary spur gears, a disc rotatably mounted on the output shaft and receiving the input spur gears and auxiliary spur gears, and an output shaft spur gear keyed to the output shaft and rotatably engaging each of the auxiliary spur gears. The input spur gears and auxiliary spur gears are rotatably seated in pairs on separate spur gear shafts which are press-fitted in spaced relationship along a first diameter of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Theodore L. Menge, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5267482
    Abstract: A speed reducing device employs dampers which are provided for power transmission from a worm wheel engaged with a worm gear to an output shaft of the device so as to absorb shocks. The device does not require a metallic plate to which the dampers are adhered nor a bearing which specifically supports the output shaft. A first wheel is engaged with the worm gear and has protrusions on its plate surface facing a second wheel. The second wheel is rigidly connected to the output shaft and has protrusions on its plate surface facing the first wheel. The protrusions of the first and second wheels take complementary positions, in which each protrusion of one wheel is apart from the adjacent protrusion of the other wheel a predetermined distance with respect to the rotational direction. The dampers are provided between neighboring protrusions of the first and second wheels so that the dampers are pressed and contracted to elastically transmit power from the first wheel to the second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Yoshida, Takao Ochiai, Tadashi Aoyama, Yuji Hagiwara, Shigehiro Maita
  • Patent number: 5267479
    Abstract: A force actuator arrangement comprises a force generating member performing an oscillating movement, preferably a rod (7) of magnetostrictive material, force transmitting means-in a disc brake arrangement a caliper (4,5)-, and a device (8,9) for transforming the oscillating movement to a unidirectional application movement of the force transmitting means. The oscillation frequency of the force generating member is higher than the natural frequency of the force transmitting means for enabling the movement transforming device to transmit the movement only during each oscillation stroke in the application direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: SAB Wabco AB
    Inventor: Thomas Arvidsson
  • Patent number: 5267919
    Abstract: An infinitely variable-speed mechanic drive apparatus is capable of providing a positive non-slip drive and includes a support; a driving shaft mounted rotatably on the support; a driven gear mounted axially and rotatably on the driving shaft; an intermediate transmission member disposed in a transverse direction to and mounted rotatably on the driving shaft. The intermediate transmission member includes an intermediate shaft, a driving wheel mounted rotatably on and shiftable in an axial direction of the intermediate shaft, the driving wheel being in frictional contact with the support, a biasing member biasing the driving wheel towards the axis of the driving shaft, and a driven transmission shaft rotatable around an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate shaft. The driven transmission shaft has a worm member which meshes with the driven gear, and a first drive member transmitting the rotating force of the driving wheel to the driven transmission shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Hung-Chung Lin
  • Patent number: 5263383
    Abstract: A shifter mechanism is provided with an elongated handle having a bore extending along an axis longitudinally of the handle, a rod extending through the bore for actuating a pawl, and a pawl member, the rod and pawl member being provided with a novel connection arrangement for connecting the pawl member to the lower end of the rod. In particular, the connection arrangement includes the lower rod end having an opening at its extreme end extending into a recess within the rod, the recess being defined by a wall, and the pawl member having an upwardly extending upper end adapted to be inserted into the recess. More particularly, the opening and the recess in the lower rod end and the upper end of the pawl each have cross sections whereby the upper end of the pawl member is receivable axially along the bore axis through the opening and into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products Company, Div. of JSJ Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Meisch, Curtis D. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5263907
    Abstract: A rotatable disc (1, 3) formed with a coaxial part-toroidal race (26, 27) for use as the input or output disc of the variator for a transmission--especially of the full toroidal kind--of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type, in which the torus radius (r.sub.d) of the race, that is to say the radius of curvature of the race measured at a chose point on the race and in a plane including the disc axis, decreases as the distance of that point from the disc axis (5) diminishes. Such decrease of the torus radius may be either continuous or discontinuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Thomas G. Fellows
  • Patent number: 5261286
    Abstract: In connecting brackets using a frame member for a wiper device, the frame member being of linear structure providing sufficient mechanical intensity, the brackets are formed of die cast employing a general purpose die referenced to the axes of sleeves for pivotal shafts. An axis A of the frame member is so arranged that it is contained in the third imaginary plane which is parallel with first and second imaginary planes, wherein the first and second imaginary planes are selected respectively from imaginary planes which contain an axis B of a first pivotal shaft and from imaginary planes which contain an axis C of a second pivotal shaft 6, so that the first and second imaginary planes are parallel with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Hayashi