Reciprocating Rod Drives Lever Patents (Class 49/344)
  • Patent number: 8943749
    Abstract: A flap door includes a door body configured to be rotated around a longitudinal axis of a shaft by extension of a gas lift. A guide cam is fixed to a sidewall and has the shaft rotatably mounted to a center of the guide cam in a direction perpendicular to the sidewall, and a guide groove is formed in a side of the guide cam. A first arm has one end fixed to the shaft and another end extended toward the gas lift. A second arm has one end connected to the shaft so as to be rotatable around the shaft and another end connected to an end of the gas lift. A rotation transferring member transfers a rotational force from the second arm to the first arm as the rotation transferring member moves along a slot formed in the second arm and simultaneously moves along the guide groove according to rotation of the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ja Sang Song
  • Publication number: 20140352223
    Abstract: A sealed lever latch. It has a handle with a pivot end with a non-round bore passing therethrough, a housing having a well with a narrowed end with spaced apart sidewalls with holes, the narrowed end sized to receive the pivot end of the handle. A lever carriage with two spaced apart arms straddles the sidewalls of the narrowed end of the housing and each arm has a first engagement. A drive pin unit has a first keeper, a drive pin with a non-round profile extending from the first keeper, and a second keeper that engages with a free end of the drive pin. The keepers non-rotatably engage with the first engagements of the lever carriage arms and with the drive pin non-rotatably passing through the non-round bore in the pivot end of the handle to connect the handle and the lever carriage together. Seals are placed on the drive pin unit between the first and second keeper ride adjacent to the holes in the sidewalls of the housing to prevent passage of liquid or debris therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Tam Le
  • Patent number: 8839559
    Abstract: A door urging apparatus, for use with an existing door hingedly mounted in a frame, the door moving between a closed, a crossover, and open states, the door urging apparatus including an offset bracket with a base and an arcuate planar element having a proximal end that extends from the base and a distal end with a first pivotal attachment. Also included is a plate affixed to a frame portion opposite of the hinged mount, the plate having a second pivotal attachment. Further included is a gas spring assembly having a lengthwise cylinder with a telescoping rod, the gas spring provides a dampened force extending the rod outward. The gas spring is pivotally attached between the first pivotal attachment and the second pivotal attachment, wherein operationally the door is urged into the open state by the gas spring and is also urged into the closed state by the gas spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Garry D. Neff
  • Patent number: 8677689
    Abstract: A sliding power lift and locking assembly for lifting and locking an object includes a motor, a first drive shaft, a first drive block assembly, a first drive housing, and a link arm. The first drive shaft has a body and a cylindrical axis and is rotationally driven by the motor. The first drive block assembly includes an aperture configured to engage the body of the first drive shaft, a latch dog with a first slot configured to engage a dog catch pin associated with the object, and a slider. A portion of the first drive housing and a portion of the first drive block assembly are provided in a track of the first drive housing, and the track of the first drive housing is configured such that the first drive block assembly is configured to move in a path relative to the first drive housing. The link arm includes a first end and second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: DTS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Draper, Keith S. Attee, Thomas H. Buerkle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8322080
    Abstract: A gate arm for a swing gate incorporates a release mechanism that releases the gate arm and therefore allows the gate to swing freely about its hinges when inwardly-directed pressure applied to the gate exceeds a threshold level. The gate arm also includes a spring-loaded pivot joint that applies pressure to the gate when the gate is operating normally and is in the closed position, and further works cooperatively with the release mechanism to prevent damage to the operator and gate arm when the gate is forced open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Michael T. Treihaft
  • Patent number: 8291644
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (100) for use with a pneumatic cylinder/differential engine for a power-operated door including a locking rod (20), a plunger (24) associated with the locking rod (20) to cause extension and retraction of the locking rod (20) with respect to a door opening/closing gear (46), and a spring member (34) associated with the plunger (24) for maintaining the plunger (24) and the locking rod (20) in an extended position during a door closed position. An aperture (46a) is located through a sidewall portion of the gear hub (46b) which is capable of receiving an end (20a) of the locking rod (20) when the locking rod is in an extended position to lock the door in a door closed position. The invention also includes an emergency door opening mechanism enabling manual opening of the doors in case of an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Gennady Plavnik, Frank Golemis, Michael O'Neill, David C. Griffis, Peter Heidrich
  • Patent number: 8171673
    Abstract: A motorized door opener for a vehicle (such as a military or security vehicle), featuring a sensor system that determines door position to prevent door damage while the opener is in operation. The opener features an offset gear system that effectively changes the door's rotation point. Mechanical advantage is gained by using a lengthened lever arm with the gear system, providing increased leverage and allowing the motor to provide enough force to open and close a heavily armored door. The opener can use existing door hinges, and can be provided so as not to protrude into the door space, in order to facilitate passenger and equipment entry/exit through the doors. A safety release mechanism is included in some embodiments, allowing the door to be manually opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Ibis Tek, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Helms
  • Patent number: 8074401
    Abstract: A mechanical arm system for opening a door includes an actuator assembly having an output shaft and an arm driven by the output shaft so as to move the door from a closed position toward an open position. The arm is free from contact with the door when the door moves from the open position to the closed position. The actuator assembly is mounted to a support member adjacent the door. The arm extends between the output shaft and the door. The arm may be moveable between a position in which the arm contacts the door in the open position and a retracted position in which the arm is free from contact with the door in the closed position. The arm may be moved to the retracted position before the door reaches the open position so as to abort the opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The MITRE Corporation
    Inventor: Booker T. Brown
  • Patent number: 7966771
    Abstract: A door operator includes a housing, a first pressure compartment; a second pressure compartment, a drive unit disposed in the housing and coupleable to a door via an output shaft, the driving unit being associated with the first pressure compartment, a hydraulic pump in hydraulic connection with the first and second pressure compartments, a motor in driving relationship with the hydraulic pump, and a spring force accumulator disposed in the housing. The spring force accumulator is associated with the second pressure compartment and coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Volker Bienek
  • Patent number: 7877931
    Abstract: The present superstructure involves, for each upright, a spacer section bar (3), a hinge-bearing section bar (6), a hinge (8), a piston (13) that helps to lift the pane (1), and is completed by a gripper (9) for supporting the pane (1), a closing section bar (11) and a gasket; the section bar (3) has a box section so that it can be adjusted to be joined together with the section bar (6); each hinge (8) is fixed to the section bar (6) and at its end to be fixed to the gripper (9), bears conical guides (8.1) suitable for fitting the conical arms (9.1) situated on the gripper (9) itself; a gasket (12) is fixed to the gripper (9); where spherical panes (1) are involved, hinges (15) are used containing a body (15.1) and a connecting piece (15.2) that can be rotated with respects to the body (15.1) so that the panes (1) can be fitted on at different lengths of the circular arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: N.E.M. Nord Est Meccanica S.N.C.
    Inventor: Alessandro Cianetti
  • Patent number: 7837252
    Abstract: An opening, through which a connection section between a drive arm and a rod of a power back door enters and exits, is covered with cover members to improve external appearance, and interference between the connection section and the cover members is eliminated when the connection section passes through the opening to prevent abnormal noise and damage to the cover members during the passage of the connection section. A pair of cover members 6a and 6b are provided along right and left vertical edges of a vertically long opening 50 that is formed in a side edge defining a door opening 1, through which a connection section S between a drive arm 3 and a rod 4 of a power back door for automatically driving a back door 2 adapted to close and open the door opening 1 can enter and exit, such that lip-shaped end edges thereof face and contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Etou, Ryuji Fukui, Takayuki Fukuda, Kunihiko Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20100243405
    Abstract: There are provided a waste collection system and a method for opening/closing a waste receiving device in the waste collecting system. The waste collection system comprises: a cover formed to be opened/closed on a waste receiving device; a damper formed to be opened/closed under the waste receiving device through the cover and an interlocker; and a housing. The waste collection system further comprises: a user recognition system positioned at the front of the housing; and a driving unit for driving the opening/closing of the damper, wherein the driving unit is on/off based on the results of the user recognition system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicants: KOLON CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., EUNSUNG PLANT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-Hyun KANG, Jong-Kyu HWANG, Yun-Ho JUNG, Sang-Bong CHANG
  • Patent number: 7587861
    Abstract: A security cover for an automatic gate arm protects against disengagement and removal of the gate arm for the purpose of unauthorized entry through the gate. The security cover comprises four walls and a top plate joined to form a housing that encloses a rotating turret and a portion of a drive arm used to actuate the gate. The security cover mounts over the turret using a vertical rod that extends from above the housing to a location within the drive mechanism of the gate arm motor, and a lock that secures the housing and prevents unauthorized tampering with the drive arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Bongard
  • Publication number: 20090120003
    Abstract: A system for opening and closing a motor vehicle, the flap is swivalably mounted along one of its edge areas at a stationary structural component part about a horizontal swiveling axis. A first drive device and a second drive device act in parallel to more like flap from a closed position into an open position. The first drive device is a non-self-locking drive device, and the second drive device comprises a cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure. An interior of the second drive device is divided by a piston into a first work chamber and a second work chamber, wherein a piston rod of the piston is guided outward through the first work chamber. A valve arrangement in the piston closes a flow connection between the first work chamber and the second work chamber in a stationary operating state of the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Frank Doffing, Rolf Mintgen, Thomas Reif
  • Patent number: 7422265
    Abstract: A support structure for an upper cover of an automobile rear loading platform, which is installed on two sides between a rear end portion of an automobile rear loading platform and an upper cover of the rear loading platform, wherein a base mount is fixed to a bottom plate of the rear loading platform, and a supporting arm is pin connected to the base mount. Another end of the supporting arm is pin connected to a suspension arm, and another end of the suspension arm is pin connected to a fixing mount that enables fixing to a bottom portion of the upper cover. An oil pressure rod is pin configured between the aforementioned supporting arm and the base mount, thereby providing support therebetween. Accordingly, good support and buffering effectiveness is achieved when opening and closing the upper cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Yi-Tang Enterprise Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Te Liao
  • Patent number: 7174674
    Abstract: The invention improves accuracy of engagement of a pinion and a rack with each other in an automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle. In the automatic opening/closing device for the vehicle and for automatically opening and closing an opening/closing member provided to a vehicle body, the device includes a motor for generating a driving force for driving a pinion for rotation, a sliding member having a rack engaged with the pinion, and a rail member for positioning the sliding member and for guiding the sliding member in a predetermined direction. The sliding member and the opening/closing member are connected through a connecting rod. A base member is integrally formed with a motor fixing portion and a rail fixing portion. The motor and the rail member are fixed to the base member. As a result, it is easy to improve accuracy of positioning of the pinion and the rack and to improve accuracy of engagement of the pinion and the rack with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hattori, Yasushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7117638
    Abstract: A vehicle door open-close device which makes it possible to achieve a reduction in numbers of parts and also make the deflection width size of a member 5 small, to thereby allow an effective use of a vehicle compartment to be aimed at, is produced, comprising a driving mechanism positioned inwardly from a door opening, an operation transfer mechanism to connect this driving mechanism and the vehicle door, the operation transfer mechanism being equipped with a slider member reciprocatingly and linearly moving by the aid of the driving means, and a link member connecting this slider member and the vehicle door, wherein the link member is rotatably connected to the slider member and the vehicle door, and the link member includes a straight portion and a curved portion outwardly and protrudingly curved away from a center of rotation of the vehicle door, and a straight portion 5b formed in substantially straight line in a connection part 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Ihashi
  • Patent number: 6996935
    Abstract: A gate regulator increases the productivity of unloading agricultural material from forage boxes. The gate regulator enables a box gate to swing open without restriction, but the gate is controlled for slow swinging closed. At a gate release position, the gate regulator releases control of the gate such that it swings freely by gravity from the release position to the closed position. The freely swinging gate has enough momentum to automatically relatch the gate closed. In one embodiment, the gate regulator includes a fluid cylinder with a cylinder pin that is received in an L-shaped slot on the gate. During controlled swinging closed, the cylinder pin is within one of the slots of the L-shaped slot. At the gate release position, the junction of the two slots is at the cylinder pin, which then has room to move freely in the other slot and thereby release the slot from the cylinder pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Meyer Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Decker, Kelly L. Ingersoll
  • Patent number: 6891344
    Abstract: The invention provides to make an automatic opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle to be thin. An outer rack is attached to an outer side of a stay fixed to a vehicle in such a manner as to freely move in an axial direction along the stay. A thickness of the stay is set to be smaller than a width, and a cross sectional shape thereof is formed so as to be in a substantially thin convex shape. A width in a base end wall portion of the outer rack is formed so as to be larger than a width of a side surface wall portion corresponding to a thickness of the outer rack, and the outer rack is formed in a substantially thin C cross sectional shape. It is possible to make a thickness of a slide mechanism about a gear with of rack gears lined up in an axial direction in the side surface wall portion by making the width of the side surface wall portion slightly larger than the gear width of the rack gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakai, Yasushi Yoshida, Takashi Hoshino, Seiji Shioiri, Takao Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6742303
    Abstract: A linear actuator for gates, doors or similar has an actuator arm (1) which is articulated to a support (3) around a vertical axis (15) and be raisable angularly around a horizontal inclination axis (16). The actuator arm (1) has a screw (7) which is operated by an electric motor (11) and a running nutscrew (8) articulated to the gate wing (5) by a leadnut holder (18) in which the nutscrew (8) is housed in a manner turning around an axis horizontal and transversal to the actuator arm (1). The leadnut holder (18) has a vertical lower articulation pivot (20) which engages from above in a turning manner in a bush (22) fastened to the wing (5). In an emergency the actuator is disengaged from the gate wing (5) by raising the actuator arm (1) angularly around its inclination axis (16) and extracting upward the articulation pivot (20) of the leadnut holder (18) from the bush (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Genius s.r.l.
    Inventor: Carlo Pedemonte
  • Publication number: 20040020128
    Abstract: In a door opening/closing apparatus allowing a door opening to have as wide an area as possible, an improved structure is provided which can serve to obviate the need for including a reinforcement structure or an additional seal structure, so that the door opening/closing apparatus can be simplified in structure. An arm member 3 is coupled to a door of a vehicle, and a driving unit 2 is provided inside a vehicle body of the vehicle to move the arm member 3. The arm member 3 is arranged to be protrudable from inside of the vehicle body, through a space which the door D occupies when closed, pushing the door D open and pulling the door D shut. A seal member 8 is provided along an inner peripheral edge of a body panel PB defining a door opening S of the vehicle body, and a through opening 9 through which the arm member 3 is protrudable is formed in the seal member 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Ihashi
  • Patent number: 6594954
    Abstract: A power mine door installation utilizing compressed air from the compressed air system available in the mine as the power source for a hydraulic door-operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030126798
    Abstract: A power mine door installation utilizing compressed air from the compressed air system available in the mine as the power source for a hydraulic door-operating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6283535
    Abstract: A kinetic conversion mechanism includes a driving pulley pivotally connected to one end portion of a board which is pointed in the direction of substantially crossing the hinge shaft of a door, coupled to the output shaft of a motor and capable of forward and reverse rotation; a driven pulley pivotally connected to the other end of the board; and an endless belt wound on the driving pulley and the driven pulley, the belt being coupled to a part of the belt as the output portion thereof. The kinetic conversion mechanism and the motor are arranged in the shape of substantial L-letter by coupling the motor to one end portion of the kinetic conversion mechanism at substantially right angles. A transmission member is made bendable and also pivotal within a plane substantially perpendicular to a hinge shaft. One end of a coupling member is pivotally connected to an open-close structure, whereas the other end thereof is pivotally connected to the transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Yuge
  • Patent number: 6164156
    Abstract: A window operator is disclosed. The window operator may be provided with a handle that may be folded from an operable (or extended) position to a stored (or retracted) position. In the window operator, a spring assembly having an integrally formed spring finger operates within a cavity in the body of the handle of the window operator to provide a securing (or positive locking) action at least in an operable position. The spring assembly may also provide a securing action in the stored (or storage) position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventor: Stephen Mark Purcell
  • Patent number: 5570547
    Abstract: An agricultural grain storage or feed tank including a body with a roof having an upper inlet opening is provided with a roof cap assembly which includes an elongated and vertically extending control rod which is vertically and pivotably movable with respect to the body of the tank whereby a cap connected to the control rod may be selectively moved remotely from the opening by raising the control rod and thereafter swinging the cap relative to the opening. The opening is reinforced by a reinforcing centering ring which is selectively mounted to the exterior of the roof of the tank and which includes a plurality of support rods on which the cap is normally seated so as to create an air passageway into the inlet opening. In the preferred embodiment, the body of the tank is corrugated and is supported by legs having corrugated sections which interfit with the body of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Long Manufacturing North Carolina, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Webb, Robert B. Batchelor
  • Patent number: 5509234
    Abstract: An operator assembly for a casement window that includes a frame and a pane carrying sash. The operator assembly is mounted to the frame and an elongated arm connects the operator assembly and the sash. Movement of the arm moves the sash relative to the frame for opening and closing the window. The operator arm includes a pivotally mounted and linerally moveable handle which is moveable between a first and second position. A ratchet-type gearing system is provided to connect the handle and operator arm and to effect movement of the operator arm in response to movement of the handle. A selector associated with the handle and gearing system is provided to effect and control the direction of sash movement in response to the movements by the handle. A locking system is provided to engage the gearing system to prevent movement of the gearing system due to loads on the sash that are transmitted to the gearing system through the sash and operator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: SNE Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Klimek, Thomas Wright
  • Patent number: 5275303
    Abstract: This invention provides a closure means for an aperture in a semiconductor deposition furnace, the closure means including an aperture cover plate; at least one articulated linkage including at least two arms, the arms being pivotally mounted with respect to each other to define an angle between them such that variation of the angle causes the plate to move between an aperture closing position and an open position in which the plate is clear of the aperture; and an actuator for driving the articulated linkage and for locking the plate in the aperture closing position. The articulated linkage is in the form of a first arm connected to the cover plate, and a second arm for transferring motive force from the actuator to the first arm. As the plate is moved from its open position to its aperture closing position, the angle between the first and second arms changes from a relatively small angle to a relatively large angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Laszlo Szalai
  • Patent number: 5222328
    Abstract: An automatic opening and closing device for back door includes a back door rotatably supported on a body. A telescopically adjustable device is telescopically disposed between the back door and the body. One end of the telescopically adjustable device connected to the back door and the other end thereof is connected to the body. A driving device is served for telescopically moving the telescopically adjustable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junji Okumura
  • Patent number: 5116274
    Abstract: A refrigerator display cabinet having a front opening and a thermally insulated multiple-glass pane window panel mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent the upper marginal end of the window panel. The window panel has an internal solid spacer bar adjacent the upper marginal end thereof which permits secure clamping of the window panel by hinge supports without crushing or other damage to the window panel. The hinge supports have a relatively streamlined configuration, which, together with the substantially frameless window panel, provide an esthetic modernistic appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Ardco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Artwohl, David Robinson
  • Patent number: 5112118
    Abstract: A display counter wherein the upper portion of the case has several upwardly and forwardly sloping hollow supports for modules which pivotably mount one or more front panels each of which can be moved to a first position in which it overlies the customer side of the counter and a raised second position in which the internal space of the counter in accessible from the customer side. The modules include linear actuators which can pivot the front panel or panels between the first and second positions as well as to one or more intermediate positions. Each actuator is pivotally secured to a frame of the respective module at the lower end of the corresponding support and to a hinge for a front panel at the upper end of the support. The pintle of the hinge is mounted in the upper end portion of the corresponding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Gerd und Bernd Vieler KG
    Inventor: Franz Wiehle
  • Patent number: 5018687
    Abstract: A mechanically operable actuating device for opening towards the outside and closing a cargo hatch or freight door in the fuselage of an aircraft comprises two hinges for connecting an upper side of the door or hatch to the fuselage; a first swivel joint floatingly mounts the upper end of a coupling member to a reenforcing part in the upper portion of the hatch or door; a second swivel joint floatingly connects a rocking arm to a hatch or door frame of the fuselage; a third swivel joint connects the rocking arm to the lower end of the coupling member; a fourth swivel joint connects one end of a gas pressure spring to the rocking arm so that the spring extends substantially parallel to the coupling member; and a fifth swivel joint connects an opposite end of the spring also to the upper end of the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: MBB GmbH
    Inventors: Artur Kupfernagel, Dieter Nitsch
  • Patent number: 4854076
    Abstract: An air cylinder operates a loose link cam fixed to a rod which pivots the hatch cover which is normally latched closed. As the cylinder is operated, the first portion of the movement unlatches the cover and the remainder of the movement swings the cover up to an over centre position whereupon it falls by gravity to the fully opened position without any further movement of the cylinder. The loose link cam permits the cover to move through approximately 180.degree. during the opening motion. when closing the cover, the same action takes place with the latch moving to the closed position by means of a spring and being displaced by the cover falling to the closed position by gravity once it has been moved by the loose link cam to the over centre position. The upper surface of the latch hook is curved so that the edge of the cover cross bar strikes the latch and displaces same as the cover closes and which is then returned to the latching position by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventors: Murray K. Sieben, Gordon L. Rohs
  • Patent number: 4782628
    Abstract: A housing and telescoping arm are supported by a shaft pivot pivotally mounted in the ground. The telescoping arm includes a rotating rod actuator journalled for rotation in a bearing mounted atop the shaft. The rod includes a threaded portion extending longitudinally from the shaft to the gate. A traveling tubular member is mounted concentrically with the rod and includes a block having a threaded bore for receiving the threads of the rod. The arm is connected to the gate through a pinned connection between one end of the traveling member and a lower rail of the gate. Relative rotation between the rod an the traveling member is prevented by the pinned connection. As a result, the traveling member extends outwardly and retracts inwardly in response to the counter-clockwise and clockwise rotation respectively of the rod. A motor and transmission for driving the rod in rotation are mounted in the housing along with a motor control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: John J. Gaddis
  • Patent number: 4735018
    Abstract: An automatic gate opening device consisting of two arm members pivotally attached to form a link. One end of the link is pivotally attached to one end of a standoff. The second end of the standoff is fixedly attached to a hinge post supporting the gate. The second end of the link is pivotally attached to the gate. An electrically powered linear actuator is pivotally attached to the post arm and gate arm through levers. The solar panel charges a battery which, through a receiver unit, powers the actuator. Gate operator actuates gate with a portable transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventors: William B. Duncan, Richard J. Loos
  • Patent number: 4598496
    Abstract: Disclosed here is a lid moving mechanism for use with a storage bin. A hinge arm is pivoted at one end to a fixed point on the bin top, and a free end is attached, by a boom, to the lid. A jack device rotates the hinge arm and lid between opened and closed positions. The jack takes the form of a tube, within which is fixed an open-center helical spindle. A turning tube is inserted into this spindle, and a pin engages the spindle windings. When the turning tube is rotated, it is drawn into or forced out of the helical spindle and jack tube, and the hinge arm is correspondingly moved. An extension is attached to the turning tube so that the jack can be operated, and the lid moved, from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Brock Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Antoine Van Daele
  • Patent number: 4572572
    Abstract: A locking device of a hood for a ventilator window in an automobile which comprises a hood mounted to be opened and closed in the ventilator window formed in the ceiling of a vehicle and able to be opened and closed by operating a controlling lever in a car body and also closed by manually depressing the hood from outside of the vehicle but unable to be opened manually from outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignees: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo K.K., Honda Giken Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Shuji Nakamura, Masami Koike, Shigehiro Yasuki
  • Patent number: 4452015
    Abstract: A balancing device consists of at least one balancer, for example a pneumatic jack, one end of which is connected to the deck lid by a swivel joint and whose other end is hinged to the vehicle body. The balancer is hinged to the vehicle body through a bent return lever consisting of two unequal arms and is attached at its bend to the vehicle body about an axis parallel to the hinge axis of the hatchback. The end of the arm oriented toward the axis forms a hinge for the said other end of the balancer while the end of the other arm of the bent lever is in contact with the concave cam surface of a cam attached to the deck lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault
    Inventors: Bascou Jacques, Roue Yves
  • Patent number: 4452013
    Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism for a vehicle sunroof of the type having a tiltable roof panel hinged to a framed roof opening. A sliding shoe assembly causes movement of a rigid actuating member, which is guided by a cam, to apply an opening or closing force to the roof panel. The mechanism is simple and compact, and is readily concealed between the vehicle roof and the frame surrounding the sunroof opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Nagata
  • Patent number: 4434578
    Abstract: A traffic control arm powered by a motor and a linear actuator connected between the motor and the arm such that as the motor is rotated, a restraining force acting on the arm will not prevent continued rotation of the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Inventor: Raphael J. Rumpz
  • Patent number: 4429491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for operating a panel (12) suitably mounted to a frame (12). An actuator (13) pivotally attached to frame (11) provides a linear pulling and pushing force. A pivot arm (15) constructed and arranged for interconnecting actuator (13) to panel (12) and pivotally attached to panel (12) and actuator (13). A motion arm (14) pivotally attached to frame (11) and pivotal arm (15) cooperates with pivot arm (15) to transfer the linear force of actuator (13) into a panel (12) opening and closing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Abe W. Mathews Engineering Co.
    Inventor: James A. Bruns
  • Patent number: 4365442
    Abstract: An automatic door operating system includes a gas operated linear motor connected to operate a door by means of a unidirectional linkage system including an arm for unidirectional engagement of the door and a control system including a source of compressed gas for selectively opening the door and for controlling the duration of the door open position. The control system includes a variable timing release for variable timing of the duration of the valve opening. The actuator for the system can be remotely positioned for maintaining the door in open position for sufficient duration to permit passing therethrough. The linkage system permits the door to be manually operated totally independent of the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Inventor: Harold A. Speer
  • Patent number: 4322912
    Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle door of the type actuated by a turnable shaft driven by a piston cylinder unit having a piston rod connected by a hinge bolt to a lever arm fixedly mounted on the turnable shaft. The safety device comprises a carrier coupled to the lever arm and slidably receiving the piston rod, a switch element on the carrier and a control element on the piston rod. When the door encounters an obstacle, the control element is brought into contact with the switch element to reverse the direction of movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Gebr. Bode & Co.
    Inventor: Siegfried Heinrich
  • Patent number: 4208839
    Abstract: An improved opener for the lid or hatch cover of a tall storage container. The opener includes a pivotal handle that is disposed at a location remote from the lid and is operatively connected thereto by a linkage system associated with the container. The handle is operative between a first position, in which the lid is locked in a closed position, and a second position, in which the lid is locked in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Inventor: James O. Candy, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4051746
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the movement of a movable tail-gate hinged to a tipping body of a vehicle. A collapsible toggle linkage is pivotally connected at one end to a flap adapted to bear against the tail-gate and the opposite end of the linkage is pivotally connected to a support secured to the vehicle. The toggle linkage is moved between erect and collapsed conditions by a piston and cylinder assembly, the piston rod of said assembly being connected to the interconnected ends of the toggle linkage by a bracket. The bracket serves as a stop to prevent outwardly collapsing movement of the toggle linkage. The tail-gate can be maintained in a closed position independently of any forces exerted by the piston and cylinder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Inventor: Rolf Sven Gunnar Liljeros