Patents by Inventor Zenichi Oda

Zenichi Oda has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6447383
    Abstract: A finishing orbital sander (1) includes a main body (2) and a base (12) provided below the main body. Provided between the main body and the base are a plurality of foot assemblies (22). Each assembly in turn includes a cylindrical or columnar foot (23) made of aluminum and a pair of rubber O-rings (25) at both ends of the cylindrical foot. Each foot additionally includes reduced diameter sections (24) at both ends, where the O-rings are disposed. The reduced diameter sections (24) are fitted in the O-rings and placed in recessed seats (26) provided in opposing surfaces of the main body (2) and the base (12), thus elastically supporting the aluminum feet (23) in the axial direction thereof. The axial dimension of each reduced diameter section (24) is made no longer than the thickness (i.e., the axial dimension) of the O-ring (25), so that the tip end of the reduced diameter section does not exceed or project from the axial outermost end of the O-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Zenichi Oda, Kenichi Kawai, Akihito Hara, Masahiko Inai
  • Patent number: 6305481
    Abstract: A lock washer (24) presses balls (21) and pins (23) against a clutch cam (18) with protrusions (19) formed on its front face. A rear end (25a) of a spring holder (25) abuts on the inner edge of the front face of the lock washer (24) while the half of the front end surface of each pin (23) abuts on the rear face of the outer edge of the lock washer (24). Furthermore, the compression spring (26) also abuts on the lock washer (24) with its outer edge approximately aligned with the outer edge of the lock washer (24). Therefore, if a large load is instantaneously applied to a spindle (11) at the end of screw tightening, the outer edge of the lock washer (24) deforms forward. This in turn causes the balls (21) to ride over the protrusions (19) of the clutch face, thus allowing a slight rotation of the internal gear (10c). This clutch operation lessens the impact that occurs at the end of screw tightening, serving to protect the tool mechanism and to reduce the shock to the operator's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yamazaki, Zenichi Oda, Katsumi Tozawa
  • Publication number: 20010003087
    Abstract: A finishing orbital sander (1) includes a main body (2) and a base (12) provided below the main body. Provided between the main body and the base are a plurality of foot assemblies (22). Each assembly in turn includes a cylindrical or columnar foot (23) made of aluminum and a pair of rubber O-rings (25) at both ends of the cylindrical foot. Each foot additionally includes reduced diameter sections (24) at both ends, where the O-rings are disposed. The reduced diameter sections (24) are fitted in the O-rings and placed in recessed seats (26) provided in opposing surfaces of the main body (2) and the base (12), thus elastically supporting the aluminum feet (23) in the axial direction thereof. The axial dimension of each reduced diameter section (24) is made no longer than the thickness (i.e., the axial dimension) of the O-ring (25), so that the tip end of the reduced diameter section does not exceed or project from the axial outermost end of the O-ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Applicant: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Zenichi Oda, Kenichi Kawai, Akihito Hara, Masahiko Inai
  • Patent number: 5954108
    Abstract: A drive unit for a vertical blind having a housing with a louver traverse drive shaft with a loop string wound therearound, a louver tilt drive shaft with a loop chain wound therearound, a louver open detection means with a slider and a switch to be turned on and off by the slider, and a control means for rotating the louver traverse drive shaft once a neutral position of the louvers is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Zenichi Oda, Akinori Kimata
  • Patent number: 5803147
    Abstract: To avoid entanglement when a vertical blind is opened and closed, an attachment member is secured to a lead carrier and engages with an operation shaft. The attachment member is composed of a body having a length half the width of the lead carrier, and a snap detent projects from one end of the body. The body is formed by cutting an upper part of a horizontal cylindrical member and opening outwardly the cut edges of the body. The attachment member is attached to the operation shaft from the underside in an oblique direction such that the body engages with the lower part of the operation shaft and the snap detent snap engages with the upper part of a short jaw. Even when rotary moment is applied to the lead carrier, the attachment member holding the operation shaft counteracts the rotary moment, thereby preventing the lead carrier from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kondo, Zenichi Oda, Michio Okumura, Akinori Kimata
  • Patent number: 5487221
    Abstract: A jig saw includes a housing and a drive shaft disposed within the housing and driven to perform a predetermined motion. A holder is mounted on the drive shaft and includes an operation member operable between a fixing position and a releasing position for fixing and releasing a saw blade, respectively. A cover is mounted on the housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position for uncovering and covering the holder, respectively. An interlocking mechanism is provided for interlocking between the operation member and the cover such that the operation member is moved from the fixing position to the releasing position when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Zenichi Oda, Toshiyuki Kani