Flexible Patents (Class 74/517)
  • Publication number: 20100224024
    Abstract: A displacement amplifier receives an actuation displacement signal from a piezoelectric actuator. The displacement signal is amplified by one or more stages of compliant elements, and a corresponding force is applied to a load. Wide frequency response is achieved in response to the resilience characteristics of the compliant elements that are formed from any of several materials, illustratively aluminum, steel, titanium, plastics, composites, etc., and are produced by any of several manufacturing techniques, illustratively extrusion, die casting, forging, etc. The compliant elements can be configured as plural compliant mechanical displacement amplifier stages. In bilateral arrangements displacement signals from distal ends of the motive source are applied to symmetrical, or mirror image, arrangements of compliant elements. The motive source, which may be a piezoelectric actuator, delivers its displacement signal at one end thereof to one or more compliant elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: James D. Ervin, Dragan Maric, Gregory F. Ervin, Sridhar Kota, Joel A. Hetrick
  • Patent number: 7574943
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator includes a mounting bracket, a cover plate. A brake operating assembly includes a lever and a locking sector gear. A locking clutch spring assembly includes a pinion rivet, a shaft, a flange, first and second tubular portions and a pinion with a plurality of teeth. A torsion spring is wrapped about the first tubular portion and the pinion. A first leg of a release spring abuts a first arm of a release lever. A release cable is connected to a second arm of the release lever. A brake cable is connected to an adjusting sector gear, which is engageable with an adjusting clutch spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Joseph Wortmann
  • Patent number: 7110089
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive mechanism having a high rigidity and capable of performing fine adjustment in 6-axis directions of an optical element such as a mirror or a lens, or a support member for supporting the optical element, in optical equipment such as an exposure device. The drive mechanism has such a feature that three monolithic planar 3-joint or 4-joint link mechanisms are each arranged between a movable portion and a stationary portion through the intermediation of a bearing having at least one degree of freedom of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7051614
    Abstract: A quiet apply push to release control pedal system includes a frame to mount the system to a vehicle. The frame also includes a geared rack and a pedal arm and a quiet apply carriage are rotatably mounted to the frame. The quiet apply carriage has a geared quiet apply mechanism which engages the geared rack and a cable carrier to which a control cable can be attached. Pushing the pedal moves the carriage to tension a control cable attached thereto by rotating the quiet apply mechanism along the geared rack. The quiet apply mechanism includes a clutch which prevents the gear from rotating in a direction to release the tension in the cable unless the clutch is released. The carriage also includes a pawl and toggle mechanism which locks the pedal arm to rotate with the carriage to tension the cable when the pedal is first pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Vadym Podkopayev
  • Publication number: 20040189969
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive mechanism having a high rigidity and capable of performing fine adjustment in 6-axis directions of an optical element such as a mirror or a lens, or a support member for supporting the optical element, in optical equipment such as an exposure device. The drive mechanism has such a feature that three monolithic planar 3-joint or 4-joint link mechanisms are each arranged between a movable portion and a stationary portion through the intermediation of a bearing having at least one degree of freedom of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Makoto Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6557436
    Abstract: A displacement modifying structure for receiving an input displacement from a motor source and generating a multiplied displacement therefrom for provision to a load. The structure includes a static beam and a dynamic beam. The static beam has a fixed end and a movable end while the dynamic beam has a first end and a second end. The first end of the dynamic beam is connected between the motive source and the movable end of the static beam. The second is also connected through a pivotless joint to the movable end of the static beam. Upon movement of the first end over a first distance by the motive source, the second end of the dynamic beam and the movable end of the static beam move over a second distance for provision to the load. The second distance, or output displacement is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Joel Hetrick, Sridhar Kota
  • Patent number: 6196083
    Abstract: A pivoting handle assembly having weight compensation which is anticipated to be used in conjunction with parts, part handling fixtures and other materials to reduce the apparent weight of the pivoting handling assembly having weight compensation to an operator and thereby reduce operator fatigue. In particular, an elongated spring member is positioned in the interior of an elongated pivoting arm member to at least partially compensate for the apparent weight to an operator of the pivoting handle assembly having weigh compensation being supported, transported and/or positioned thereby. As elongated pivoting arm member is rotated in a first rotational direction, a chain is wrapped around the center diameter of a pivot portion between the elongated pivoting arm member and a stationary arm member and a pin is pulled to compensate for the change in length, thus compressing the elongated spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Pasko, Gino D'Alessandro
  • Patent number: 6112336
    Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a cover or lid between horizontal and upright positions. A foot-actuated device is connected by a first cable to a lift mechanism positioned about the lid's pivot. The first cable lies over the profile of an oblong cam in the lift mechanism. Pulling the first cable rotates the cam for rotating the lid. The cam's profile initially produces a large turning moment which compensates for the initially difficult lift and then smoothly decreases the turning moment to compensate for the decreasing force needed as the lid approaches the upright position. In the context of a toilet seat lid, it is convenient to incorporate an automatic lowering device. In upright position, a latch in the cam engages a trigger. The seat is spring-urged to close, restrained only by the latch and trigger. A second cable is float-actuated to disengage the trigger from the latch when the tank begins to refill after being flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Winq Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Evan A. Markle, Jeff R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5857683
    Abstract: A creeper having a base and an inclinable back portion and an apparatus for inclining the back, the apparatus including lever arms, pull bars, a sliding member, rocker arms and a sprocket wheel about which a length of chain attached the lever arm rolls. A point of target contact between the chain and sprocket wheel moves along the length of the lever arm resulting in a variable mechanical advantage for a force applied to the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Carl Clark Auel Living Will
    Inventor: Carl C. Auel
  • Patent number: 5617616
    Abstract: An ostomy pouch clamp for closing off the bottom end of the pouch having pivoted clamping elements, one element having a trough channel for receiving the other blade element therein. The improvement in this clamp results from (1) single or multiple knife like sealing ribs or lip edges on the blade member bottom for engaging the pouch walls against a flat bottom of the trough channel and (2) latch means located midway between the ends of the clamping elements for pressing the two elements together (as well as releasing them) and producing an audible snapping signal to alert the user that the latch means is in the proper location. The latch means is easy to locate by the user and distributes the force pressing the elements together more equally than prior art devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Edmund A. Cutts, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5555769
    Abstract: A rotary control device which includes an output pulley housing and an output pulley rotatably mounted therein. A cable is at least partially wrapped around the output pulley and passed through a cable housing that is slidably mounted on the output pulley housing. The output pulley rotates in response to the movement of the cable. A spring mechanism is positioned between the output pulley housing and the cable housing to bias the pulley housing away from the cable housing to take up any slack in and tension in the cable. Furthermore, the output pulley or the input pulley or both can include a cam lobe or lobes formed on its periphery where the cable wraps therearound to control the torque output of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: Norman B. Lichtenberg
  • Patent number: 5542313
    Abstract: A Dual Radius Geometry Accelerator Control System is provided in which the throttle valve is made to open slowly during the off-idle range of operation then progressively faster during the mid-range operation until a maximum system actuation rate is reached. The throttle valve is then made to open at a gradually decreasing actuation rate until a local minimum actuation rate is reached at the point during the full throttle range of operation that downshifting occurs. Thereafter, the throttle valve is made to open at a substantially linear actuation rate as the control system approaches wide-open throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: James P. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5528956
    Abstract: A spring acts on an operating member of a parking brake control and, when the brake is released, not only reduces the flyback energy resulting from the release but also stores such energy for use as a power assist during the next application of the brake. The spring acts on the operating member through a cam which removes the spring force from the operating member when the brake is fully released while progressively amplifying the spring force as the brake is progressively applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Atwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Harger, LaVern R. McCallips
  • Patent number: 5476019
    Abstract: A twist grip cable system having a mandrel received over the handlebar of a bicycle and a pulling spool providing increased mechanical advantage which may be used for the full range of rotation or In the case of a variable mechanical advantage system, that is one with a variable radius spool, for only part of the range. To provide even greater mechanical advantage, with the spool complete dropped away, a groove or slot is provided in the mandrel into which the cable may fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Cheever, Sam Patterson, Michael W. Larson, Tymme A. Laun
  • Patent number: 4911268
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides a device which a non-linear force/distance relationship of spring or other device and linearizes it in a range of interest. In accordance with the invention, the device comprises a first gear section and a second gear section. The first and second gear sections are pivotally supported in a meshing relationship. The first gear section includes gear teeth extending about an arc of a first circle having a first center, and the second gear section includes gear teeth extending about an arc of a second circle having a second center. The mating pair of sections comprise a non-circular gearing pair. For limited ranges of motion the non-circular gears can be approximated by eccentrically mounted circular gears. The two gear sections thus pivot eccentrically with respect to each other such that a variable torque or force must be applied to one gear section to obtain a constant torque or force from the other gear section, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Kulpa
  • Patent number: 4827792
    Abstract: A reverse shift mechanism includes a reverse shift bracket which is reciprocatively movable between a neutral position and a reverse shifting position in response to shift effort applied thereto from a control lever. During movement of the reverse shift bracket from the neutral position to the reverse shifting position, shift effort is transmitted directly from the reverse shift bracket to a reverse fork lever by way of a direct pin, reducing friction loss and transmission loss and reducing the effort required for shifting. During movement of the shift bracket from the reverse shifting position to the neutral position, the reverse fork lever is drivingly connected to the reverse shift bracket by way of a reverse shift plate and a reverse shift arm. While the reverse shift bracket is in the reverse shifting position, the mechanism is prevented from slipping out of reverse by a stopper pin which engages a stopper pin engaging portion of the reverse shift plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Uetake, Toshiaki Takada
  • Patent number: 4813292
    Abstract: A tape-type mechanical drive including a flexible but substantially inextensible tape connected between two elements so that the tape transmits forces in tension. The tape includes a plurality of plies, disposed in two runs, and an equalizing device is provided for maintaining the plies under equal tension as the curvature of the tape changes. The plies in each run remain substantially parallel to one another. The tape may be formed from a single continuous strap folded to define a plurality of spiral turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Maxaxam Corporation
    Inventor: James G. Boyko
  • Patent number: 4800992
    Abstract: Anti-skid device of a kind that includes a chain-provided pulley that on use if brought to contact with the side of the vehicle wheel so that when the vehicle wheel is rotated the chain pieces (2) are successively thrown in between wheel and ground in order to improve the traction. The anti-skid device is rotatably journaled in an arm (7) that in turn is fastened to a housing (8) that is turnably journaled on a stub axle (9). The turning movement of the arm and the housing is achieved in one direction by a bowden wire (20) and in the other dirction by a return spring (23). The stub axle (9) of the housing (8) is fastened to a plate (10) that in turn is fastened to a tube (11) by means of welding. The tube (11) is in turn arranged in clamps (12 and 13), that in turn are fastened to the bolts holding together the vehicle axle and its spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Onspot AB
    Inventors: Olle Andersson, Lennart Carlsson
  • Patent number: 4796478
    Abstract: Rotary drive apparatus includes a rotatable member secured to a pivoting arm and another rotatable member having an axis of rotation offset from the geometric center of the member to produce a non-linear rotation. Two embodiments are shown, one in which the driving member is pivoted and a second in which the driven member is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Donald G. Carson
  • Patent number: 4790200
    Abstract: A manually actuated control device comprises an operating component 1 and an adjusting component 4 which are connected to each other via spring elements 3 and 5 in order to achieve a non-linear output motion of the adjusting component 4 responsive to movement of the operating component 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Dynapac Light Equipment AB
    Inventor: Lennart Hallstedt
  • Patent number: 4788742
    Abstract: A torque modification device for use with a pocket door which is adaptable to modify the torque applied by a door closer to the door to increase the torque when the door approaches its fully latched condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Door Control Specialties Co.
    Inventors: David B. Edgett, Richard L. Zunkel
  • Patent number: 4657118
    Abstract: Anti-skid device for vehicles including a chain provided pulley (1) arranged rotatable on an arm (4) journalled on a shaft (5). The shaft is connected with an eccentric pulley. Cables (7,7') extend around the eccentric pulley and are also fastened to the eccentric pulley. The two cables are in flexible pipes led to an air cylinder (8) and an air spring (9) respectively and movement of arm and chain provided pulley (1) from parking position to working position is achieved by the air cylinder pulling in the cable that in turn turns the pulley and the connected arm (4). A shelf (15) is arranged below the parking location of the chain provided pulley (1). When the chain provided pulleys are parked the chains are drawn over the edge of the shelf (15) and they are thus pulled up from possible contact with the ground. In this way it is possible to use necessary chain length together with a very low mounting of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Onspot AB
    Inventor: Olle G. Andersson
  • Patent number: 4614130
    Abstract: An over center tensioning and locking control for a cable actuated mechanism includes a control bracket on which an actuating lever is pivotally mounted. The cable to be controlled is connected to said actuating lever and rides on an arcuate cam surface thereon. A spring linkage pivotally connected at one end to the bracket and at the other end to the actuating lever passes over center to lock the actuating lever in a cable tensioning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Heismann, Warren W. Pendry
  • Patent number: 4570508
    Abstract: A parking brake actuating and release mechanism actuated through a series of strokes of the brake pedal lever to tension the parking brake cable throughout the desired range, the parking brake cable being connected with an eccentric cable take-up member so that the effective leverage applied to the cable causes the mechanical advantage to increase through at least the predominant range of actuation of the mechanism. A release mechanism provides quick release of the parking brake so that it returns to the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Nicholson, Thomas J. Kosmanski
  • Patent number: 4497396
    Abstract: A variable mechanical advantage/effective length shift lever assembly (12) of the first class lever type for a synchronized transmission (10) is provided. The shift lever assembly comprises a relatively solid section (56 and 68) and a resiliently deflectable section (70). The shift lever assembly (12) defines a second portion (62) having a first effective length (72) when the deflectable section (70) is in the nondeflected position thereof and a second shorter effective length (80) upon deflection of the resiliently deflectable section (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Alan R. Davis
  • Patent number: 4480720
    Abstract: A brake operating device for a bicycle brake having front wheel and rear wheel brakes is provided with at least one control lever, a movable control member operable in association with operation of the control lever, an associated member for transmitting an operating force of the control lever to the movable control member, a first and a second brake wire transmitting operation of the movable control member to the front and rear wheel brakes, and first and second connecting members connecting the first and second brake wires to the movable control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Keizo Shimano
  • Patent number: 4480526
    Abstract: The servomotor comprises a piston assembly (9) provided with a tubular hub (25) sliding on a valve sleeve (11) provided with a return roller (51) for a flexible elongate member (40) fixed between an end wall (4', 43) of the casing and an arm (47, 48) of the piston assembly normally extending beyond the return roller (51), between the latter and said end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme D.B.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Carre
  • Patent number: 4450867
    Abstract: A diverter valve and actuator assembly for diverting flow of a fluid from one path to another under the control of a power driven actuator, including a valve body having a chamber therein with an inlet port and two outlet ports, each outlet port having a valve seat therearound, a valve shaft extending through the body into the chamber, and a valve member carried by the valve shaft and disposed to be mated selectively with either of said valve seats by appropriate rotation of the valve shaft, and the assembly further including an actuator having a power driven shaft carrying a pivot which provides a reciprocatory component of motion with respect to the valve shaft when the actuator is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Moore
  • Patent number: 4429590
    Abstract: The hand lever operating mechanism is positioned beside a vehicle seat and remains below the level of the seat upper surface throughout its operating range. It provides an increase in parking brake cable travel without a conventional lever arm increase in radius from the fulcrum. The anchor point of the cable is self-contained in the unit and may be angularly varied to change the ratio through a range of 2:1 to 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard F. Kopich
  • Patent number: 4409861
    Abstract: A dial type wire control device includes a drum and a strap or band in combination. The drum is connected to a dial member through a connecting shaft so that the drum and the dial member can rotate synchronously. The band is to be wound on the periphery of the drum when the drum rotates in one direction and to be unwound when it rotates in the opposite direction. Thus, the wire is pulled or pushed to control a subject in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Sakurai
  • Patent number: 4152952
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly including a pedal lever which is pivotally attached to a housing, a plate pivotally attached to the pedal lever, a push rod attached to said plate, and a pulley arrangement. The cable has a fixed length with a first end attached to the pedal lever and a second end attached to the plate. An operator input applied to the pedal lever moves the pedal lever in an arc about the pivotal attachment of the housing. As the pedal lever moves, the cable length between the pulley mechanism and the first end increases while the length between the pulley mechanism and the second end decreases. A decrease in the length of the cable between the second end and the pulley causes the plate to pivot with respect to the pedal lever. The arcuate movement of the first lever and the pivoting of the plate are combined to provide a push rod with linear movement for actuating a force receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventor: Keith H. Fulmer
  • Patent number: 4005616
    Abstract: A foot pedal assembly with a return spring and having a lever to which the spring is connected and which has a link connected thereto and connected to the foot pedal arm, whereby lesser foot force is required in proportion to the depressing of the pedal itself. The foot pedal is arranged for operating a hydraulic brake of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Casey
  • Patent number: 3961545
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a multi-stroke parking brake control has a pulley connected to a parking brake cable, a slidable actuating rod and connecting means constructed to drive the pulley when the rod is displaced. A gear is rotatably supported on the pulley and is in mesh engagement with a toothed rack formed on the rod. A one-way helical spring clutch drivingly interconnects the pulley and the gear in response to rotation of the gear caused by movement of the rod in a direction to tension the brake cable. A second one-way helical spring clutch interconnects the pulley and the housing and functions to hold the pulley in a brake applied condition. A release mechanism is arranged to release the second helical spring clutch to permit the pulley and cable to move to a released position under the force of a release spring. This construction of a parking brake control permits the actuating rod to be stroked a plurality of times to tension the brake cable as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Randall P. Petresh, Raymond F. Toohey