Hand Patents (Class 74/523)
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Publication number: 20040035240Abstract: A gear stick handle having massage effect is disclosed. The gear stick handle has a gear stick head which is formed with a plurality of grooves. Each groove is installed with steel balls. Each steel ball is embedded into one of the plurality of groove by a seat placing between the steel ball and the groove. A top of the seat is formed with a thin lip edge for buckling the steel ball. The height of the seat is slightly higher than the radius of the steel ball and is equal to the height of the groove. Thereby, the steel ball is confined in the seat; an upper half of the steel ball is protruded from the seat and rotates upon the seat. A driver's palm drives the steel ball to rotate when the driver holds the gear stick head; thereby, the palm is massaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Tieh-Cheng Shu
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Publication number: 20040011154Abstract: A multi-axis vehicle control device or “joystick” includes one or more sensors defining discrete sensor zones on the handle portion thereof. The sensors are operative to passively detect the presence of a person or object in the vicinity of the handle. Location of the sensor zones in the regions of the handle engaged by the thumb and fingers of the operator's hand during normal operation allows the sensors to detect when the operator has manually engaged the joystick for normal operation. The sensors are in communication via a logic circuit to the actuator circuitry so that the actuator portion of the joystick is enabled only when a presence is detected in the discrete sensor zones and disabled when no presence is detected. The use of such sensors greatly reduces the risk of inadvertent actuation of the joystick and the associated safety hazards, while maintaining the positive ergonomic characteristics of the joystick.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporationInventor: Niels Dybro
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Patent number: 6675670Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever 1 including a bar 2 jointed with a base 3 on a base-side end thereof, a knob 5 into which the bar 2 is inserted, a first engagement mechanism and a second engagement mechanism. The first engagement mechanism includes a first engaging portion 21 axially extending on an outer surface on the other end of the bar 2 and a second engaging portion 51b to be engaged with the first engaging portion 21, which is provided in the knob 5. The second engagement mechanism includes a protrusion 3d on the outer surface on the base-side end of the bar 2 and a hook 51f to be latched on the protrusion 3d, which is provided in the knob 5. The first engagement mechanism starts engagement before the second engagement mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoichi Fujiwara, Yoshimasa Kataumi
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Patent number: 6662678Abstract: A device for shifting an automatic transmission of a vehicle is provided. The shift device includes a shift lever and a case. The shift lever is moved among a plurality of shift positions. The case receives a lower portion of the shift lever. The housing accommodates the lower portion of the shift lever and has a guide hole that guides the movement of the shift lever. The case includes a housing and a base, which is formed integrally with the housing and is attached to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventor: Shigetoshi Tomida
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Publication number: 20030221508Abstract: Ribs (19) are provided in a lattice pattern on an inner surface of an inclined portion (8) of a level upper (2) making up a first lever component, while first and second projecting portions (28, 29) for press fitting whose cross sections are L-shaped are provided on an inner surface of an inclined portion (12) of a lever lower (3) making up a second lever component. The arrangement provided is such that the first and second projecting portions (28, 29) for press fitting are respectively inserted into first and second inserting portions (22, 23) formed by the ribs (19).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventor: Hitoshi Koide
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Patent number: 6644141Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement in connection with a control device (1) particularly used for controlling a forestry machine and a boom thereof. The control device comprises a frame section (5), a handle (2) attached pivotally thereto, operating switches (3) at the handle and a control keyboard (4) arranged in connection with the handle onto a supporting plate (8) surrounding the handle. The present invention enables a driver to reach all control keys (9) of the control device at all operating positions of the control device. Thus the supporting plate comprises a dome-shaped element having, for example, spherical outer surface (10) and being arranged in connection with the handle (2). The control keyboard (4) is arranged on the outer surface of this element.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Ponsse OYGInventor: Timo Oikarinen
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Patent number: 6629473Abstract: The lever body 17 includes a recess (receiver) 66 defined by an upper plate 70 and the projections 65a, 65b, as shown in FIG. 7. A notch 67 is formed in the upper plate 70 (see FIG. 1). The notch 67 permits the first locking piece 61 to move from its retreating position to the operating position in the recess 66. The dimension of the notch 67 in the Y direction (the width of the notch 67) and the dimension of the notch 67 in the notch X direction (the depth of the notch 67) are both shorter than the corresponding dimensions of the recess 66. The upper plate 70 functions as a prohibiting member.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Noriyasu Syamoto, Norihito Saito, Hirokazu Shamoto, Katsushi Nagashima, Yutaka Suzuki, Masashi Sakurai
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Patent number: 6612197Abstract: An axle shift device for transmitting control movements from a remote control to a multi-speed hub in a cycle includes a housing and a pivoted lever arranged in the housing. The axle shift device is arranged on a hub axle of the multi-speed hub. This pivoted lever is in form-locking effective connection with a force transmission element which has a head and is preferably actuated in tension against a return spring. A slide arranged in the housing can move the pivoted lever out of form-locking engagement with the head of the force transmission element, thereby allowing the axle shift device to be removed from the hub axle in a simple manner without the aid of tools.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Werner Steuer, Georg Blaschke
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Publication number: 20030131679Abstract: A transmission assembly comprises a transmission, a pivot, and a shift lever operatively connected to the pivot for manipulating the transmission. The shift lever has a first center of mass at a first location relative to the pivot. A counterbalance is connected to the shift lever and comprises a second center of mass at a second location from the pivot such that the shift lever and the counterbalance comprise a total center of mass located between the first location and the second location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Tom Balamucki, Beth I. Klimek
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Patent number: 6584870Abstract: A shift lever device having a shift lever which allows selection of an arbitrary shift range by shift operation and includes a support which rotatably supports the shift lever and includes breakable portions which break when an impact force above a preselected magnitude is applied to the shift lever. Accordingly, when an axial impact force indicative of a sudden deceleration is applied to the shift lever, the support is broken. The breakage of the support allows safer absorption of the impact force applied to the shift lever. The breakable portions may take the form of a frangible pin or bracket that pivotally supports the shift lever.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Masaya Nishimura, Kazuhiro Sato, Masaki Fujita, Yoshitaka Watanabe, Hitoshi Kanazawa, Noriyasu Shamoto
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Patent number: 6581485Abstract: A control lever for a control console of a work vehicle comprises an arm and a knob. One end of the arm is coupled to the control valve linkage for positioning the control valve. The other end of the arm is mounted to the knob. The knob is provided with a cylindrical shaft having a first groove and a second groove. The first and second grooves adjoin one another. The first groove is deeper than the second groove. A rubber boot extends between the knob and the control console. The rubber boot has a circular control lever opening through which the control lever extends. The circular control lever opening is provided with an inwardly extending flange. The inwardly extending flange is received in the first groove. A downwardly extending foot extends from the inwardly extending flange and is received in the second groove. The inwardly extending flange and the foot are separated from one another by a step that corresponds to the radial differences between the first and second grooves.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: David Andrew Branscomb, David Joseph Klas
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Patent number: 6581490Abstract: A shift-lever unit for converting tilting movements of a shift lever (30) into pulling movements of two cable lines (40, 70), comprising a housing unit (10) which defines two rotation axes (100, 200) perpendicular to one another, a frame unit (20) which is mounted on the housing unit (10) so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis (100) and to which the first of the two cable lines (40) is fastened, a deflecting unit (60) which is mounted in a rotatable manner on the housing unit (10) parallel to the first rotation axis (100) but so as to be offset from the latter and to which the second of the two cable lines (70) is fastened, and a shift lever (30) which is mounted in said frame unit (20) so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis (200) and which is operatively connected to the deflecting unit (60) in such a way that tilting of the shift lever (30) about the first rotation axis (100) essentially leads to a pulling movement on the first cable line (40), and tilting of the shift lever (30)Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: FICO TriadInventor: Xavier Motger Graus
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Patent number: 6571427Abstract: A handle construction (10) for a gear shift lever (100) wherein the handle construction (10) is fabricated as a one piece contoured handle member (20) having a generally ovoidal configuration with certain portions missing from the top surface, the front surface, and the left side of the generally ovoidal configuration; wherein, those missing portions define a plurality of elongated arcuate recesses (21) through (24) that are dimensioned to receive a user's fingers, a first extension recess (30) that is dimensioned to receive a user's thumb and a second extension recess (32) to form a raised lip (37) that forms an abutment surface for the heel of a user's palm.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Inventors: Donald Lee Agate, Sr., Diane Marie Agate
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Patent number: 6571902Abstract: A method of automatically setting an auxiliary hydraulic valve's flow rate and returning to that flow rate automatically is disclosed. The work vehicle such as a backhoe has two hand controls, one of which has a button, and the other has a thumb wheel. To set the hydraulic flow rate, one both presses the button one hand control and moves the thumb wheel on the other hand control until the proper flow rate is reached. At this point, both button and thumb wheel are released. This causes the flow rate to be saved in RAM or ROM memory. The flow rate can be varied at any time by rolling the thumb wheel up or down. One can return to the previously save flow rate by pressing the button. Both controls are preferably spring loaded.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Heyne, Peter J. Dix
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Patent number: 6557586Abstract: A control handle support and valve linkage assembly for use in a lift truck or like vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a first stationary bracket and a second bracket that pivots relative to the first bracket. At least one, and preferably an array of control handles are coupled to the second bracket. A seat deck on the lift truck includes an actuator for engaging a member projecting from the second bracket. When the seat deck is in the closed position, the second bracket is kept in a first, retracted position, and hence, the control handle(s) are kept close to and within the comfortable reach of an operator seated in the adjacent seat. Then, when the seat deck is opened, such as when the operator desires to access a battery compartment or the like, the second bracket, and hence, the control handle(s) automatically and simultaneously pivot or rotate relative to the first stationary bracket. This moves the control handles out of the path of travel of the seat deck to avoid creating any interference.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Wayne David Lockyer, Eugene G. Bruns, Nita Louise Watercutter
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Publication number: 20030056617Abstract: A lever for use with a fuel nozzle having a trigger disposed intermediate a hand piece and a hand guard, the trigger being laterally displaceable toward the hand piece so as to actuate a fuel flow. The lever includes an elongate member having a handle on one end and a fulcrum located adjacent an opposite end. The fulcrum is adapted to engage the hand guard. The lever also includes a bearing configured to engage the trigger such that, in use, the handle is rotatable about the fulcrum so as to displace the trigger toward the hand piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventor: Graeme Harrison
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Patent number: 6536302Abstract: A manual adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relative position of a component in a vehicle including a control device for actuating the mechanism. The manual adjustment mechanism includes an input shaft coupled to the control device and an output shaft operatively coupled to the input shaft. A support bracket axially supports the input shaft and the output shaft. A drum shaped housing having a cylindrical inner surface is fixedly secured to the support bracket and rotatably received the input shaft. A coupler is mounted to the input shaft and rotatably disposed within the housing. The coupler includes a pair of spaced apart tube walls planar with and spaced from the inner surface of the housing and a pair of circumferentially opposite tabs projecting between the tube walls. A coiled spring is disposed between the housing and the coupler and compressed against the inner surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Magna Seating Systems Inc.Inventor: Omar D. Tame
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Publication number: 20030052245Abstract: A mounting system for an operator control implement comprises a manipulation tube which defines a first axis and upon one end of which an operator control implement is adapted to be mounted. The manipulation tube extends through a housing within which a first clutch assembly is disposed, and in conjunction with which there is disposed a first cam member. A first fixed support member defines a second axis, and a second support member is rotatably mounted upon the first support member. The second support member is fixedly mounted upon the housing, and a second clutch assembly is interposed between the first and second support members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2001Publication date: March 20, 2003Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: James Edward McKeown, Stephen Paul Foisy
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Patent number: 6530294Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Sergio Magrini, Ivano Resca, Giancarlo Sola
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Patent number: 6513406Abstract: A vibration-reducing control lever assembly which in one form comprises a knob, an elastomeric isolator coupled to the knob, and a lever coupled to the elastomeric isolator. The isolator acts as an intermediary between the lever and the knob and reduces vibrations transmitted from the lever to the knob. Thus, the knob is isolated from, rather than directly connected to, the lever. Alternative embodiments include a lever-receiving insert, one or more internal passageways which bypass the elastomeric isolator and a detachable hollow skirt. In some embodiments, the elastomeric isolator is captured and compressed by an isolator receiver.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Freightliner LLCInventors: Phillip C. Murray, Kai-Ulrich J. Machens
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Patent number: 6511354Abstract: A multipurpose control mechanism allows the operator of a marine vessel to use the mechanism as both a standard throttle and gear selection device and, alternatively, as a multi-axes joystick command device. The control mechanism comprises a base portion and a lever that is movable relative to the base portion along with a distal member that is attached to the lever for rotation about a central axis of the lever. A primary control signal is provided by the multipurpose control mechanism when the marine vessel is operated in a first mode in which the control signal provides information relating to engine speed and gear selection. The mechanism can also operate in a second or docking mode and provide first, second, and third secondary control signals relating to desired maneuvers of the marine vessel.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Steven J. Gonring, Phillip K. Gaynor, Kurt D. Willows
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Patent number: 6467371Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Sergio Magrini, Ivano Resca, Giancarlo Sola
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Publication number: 20020144567Abstract: The present invention relates to a car lock structure built in an automatic transmission shift rod, and the entire lock structure is the head of an automatic transmission shift rod for users to lock it onto the automatic transmission rod body. The head in sequential order has a fixed cover, and a push button for pushing the rod; and a lock cylinder is sleeved into the head to restrict and lock the press button in order to attain the effect of locking the automatic transmission shift rod. After installing the entire set of the lock onto the automatic transmission shift rod, the lock is in the locked position, and the press button will not fall out from the fixed cover because of the insertion of the push rod. The fixed cover will restrict the lock cylinder in a position because the lock bracket of the lock cylinder snaps into the latch section at the top of the fixed cover such that the lock cylinder cannot be removed from the head of the automatic transmission shift rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2001Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventor: Chun-Chang Lee
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Publication number: 20020139219Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever which includes a knob with a switch, a lever member and a conducting wire wired in the knob to send a signal from the switch. The lever member includes a rod to be inserted into the knob and a lever base having an end face to which the rod is connected. An insertion hole is provided on an end face, and the conducting wire is inserted thereto. A guide path communicates with the insertion hole and guides the conducting wire in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Tetsuya Arakawa, Ryoichi Fujiwara
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Patent number: 6443031Abstract: A slide cover unit of a dual mode shift lever assembly is provided to cover a guide groove formed in an indicator panel in order to isolate an interior of a housing regardless of movement direction of the shift lever. The slide cover includes a first cover plate slidably mounted under the indicator panel for covering the guide groove, a pivot pin fixed on a lower surface of the first cover plate, and a second cover plate pivotally mounted on the pivot pin as an auxiliary cover for the guide groove.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Hyung-Suk Kim
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Patent number: 6443029Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Sergio Magrini, Ivano Resca, Giancarlo Sola
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Publication number: 20020117018Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever 1 including a bar 2 jointed with a base 3 on a base-side end thereof, a knob 5 into which the bar 2 is inserted, a first engagement mechanism and a second engagement mechanism. The first engagement mechanism includes a first engaging portion 21 axially extending on an outer surface on the other end of the bar 2 and a second engaging portion 51b to be engaged with the first engaging portion 21, which is provided in the knob 5. The second engagement mechanism includes a protrusion 3d on the outer surface on the base-side end of the bar 2 and a hook 51f to be latched on the protrusion 3d, which is provided in the knob 5. The first engagement mechanism starts engagement before the second engagement mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Ryoichi Fujiwara, Yoshimasa Kataumi
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Patent number: 6439074Abstract: A steering-column gearshift lever includes a molded tube comprised of a polymeric material and forming a conduit from an operative end to an attachment end, a metal insert secured to the attachment end which is sized and shaped for mechanical cooperation with components auxiliary to the lever, and a molded covering of polymeric material which extends over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the tube and the insert. The plastic tube and the plastic covering are formed in separate injection molding operations. The lever further includes an electrical switch supported by the operative end of the tube and wires connected to the electrical switch which pass through the conduit of the tube from the operative end to the attachment end. The wires extend from the attachment end of the tube through a passage in the insert where they can be suitably connected to auxiliary components at the steering column when the gearshift lever is attached to the steering column.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Dura Global TechnologiesInventor: Jacob M. Stencel
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Patent number: 6435052Abstract: A gearshift lever (1) for an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle is provided with a knob (4) arranged at the top end of the gearshift lever member. A locking bar (2) is guided axially on the gearshift lever. A manually movable mechanism (5, 7) actuates the locking bar (2) relative to the gearshift lever (1). Two parts of the mechanism (5, 7) have teeth (6, 8) engaging one another. These parts are arranged such that a movement of at least one of the parts (5) toward the locking bar (2) brings about an axial movement of the locking bar (2). At least one of the two toothed segments (6; 8) extends along a curve, and the effective power ratio through a first of two curve radii is greater than the power ratio of the second radius.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Mertin Ersoy, Erich Klingenburg, Joerg Rix
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Patent number: 6425729Abstract: An arrangement for controlling a work machine which includes (i) a boom and (ii) a coupling mechanism secured to an end of the boom is disclosed. The arrangement includes a first control assembly having (i) a first gripping portion and (ii) a first actuator secured to the first gripping portion so that the first actuator can move relative to the first gripping portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Alan R. Coutant
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Publication number: 20020092375Abstract: An anti-slip brake lever includes a body portion formed with a recess having a plurality of holes, and an anti-slip member including a base and a soft anti-slip layer mounted on one side of the base, another side of the base being provided with a plurality of projections snugly-fitted into the holes, the base being made of a harder material than the anti-slip layer, whereby the anti-slip member can be easily replaced with a new one as desired and required.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventor: Shih I Yao
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Patent number: 6416077Abstract: A collapsible stroller having simplified components is provided. Each sub-frame is substantially a triangle having a latch mounted on a third side and a cooperating mechanism. The third side tube is foldable at the latch, thus causing a second side tube to fold toward the first side tube. It is possible to obtain a flat collapsed stroller by a simple collapsing operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Link Treasure LimitedInventors: Er-Jui Chen, Chuan-Tso Tai
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Publication number: 20020062710Abstract: A control lever system for a parking brake includes a control lever for a parking brake attached to an interior equipment of a vehicle, the control lever moving between an operating position B and a releasing position A, and a recess provided for accommodating the control lever in the releasing position A. A releasing knob, operated for returning the control lever from the operating position B to the releasing position A, is disposed on a side face of a grip of the control lever, the side face corresponding to an opened face of the recess, so that the gap g between an inner wall of the recess and a head of the grip can be narrowed without being interfered with by the releasing knob.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masahiko Komatsubara, Masahiro Imamachi, Hiroshi Inakazu, Tsutomu Tomimitsu
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Publication number: 20020062709Abstract: A lever (60) is for operation via a grip (40). Lever (60) has a transmission member (61) incorporated therein. A mechanism (M1) is for the operation of transmission member (61) via grip (40). A connecting member (10) is assembled with mechanism (M1). Connecting member (10) is fixed to lever (60), having transmission member (61) incorporated therein. Connecting member (10) is mounted to grip (40).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventor: Takayoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 6393935Abstract: A brake lever includes a metal body and a connection end is on one of two ends of the body so as to be connected to a handlebar of a bicycle. A longitudinal groove is defined in the body located between two ridges of the body. Each ridge has a lot of notches defined in an inside thereof. The longitudinal groove and the notches are filled with plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Inventor: Tse-Min Chen
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Patent number: 6393936Abstract: A collapsible control lever suitable for use on a motorcycle includes a handlebar mount, an intermediate section and a lever section. The intermediate section and lever section are capable of rotation with respect to the handlebar mount between a relaxed position and an actuated position in order to provide control lever functions, such as disengaging a manual clutch. The lever section is capable of rotation with respect to the intermediate section between a normal position and a fully deflected position in order to avoid damage in the event of the motorcycle overturning. The lever section may be biased to its normal position.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Inventor: Robert L. Barnett
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Patent number: 6394431Abstract: The feel bumper includes a plunger disposed for movement by an input device along a predetermined path, and at least one damper element disposed to engage the plunger when in a predetermined initial position along the path corresponding to a desired operating position for exerting a first opposing feedback force against the plunger in opposition to movement thereof along the path in a first direction, the at least one damper element being yieldable to the plunger when moved in the first direction past the predetermined initial position and exerting a second opposing feedback force against the plunger in opposition to the continued movement of the plunger in the first direction through subsequent operating positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2001Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: David P. Smith
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Publication number: 20020050184Abstract: A lever assembly includes a lever and a fastener for pivotally mounting the lever to a fixed support member. The lever is composed of a lever body made of a plastic and a reinforcement plate assembled with the plastic lever body. The lever body has a first groove formed in one surface of the lever body and extending from a central through-hole to a position in proximity of a mount hole formed at one end of the lever body, and a second groove formed in the opposite surface of the lever body and extending from the central through-hole to a position in proximity of the other end of the lever body. The reinforcement plate is fitted in the first and second grooves across the central through-hole of the lever body. The fastener comprised of a screw with flanged head has a portion lying over part of the reinforcement plate to prevent the reinforcement plate from displacing off the lever body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventor: Tadasu Suzuki
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Publication number: 20020046621Abstract: Gear selector device of an automatic transmission in which a first lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an down-shift of the gear and a second lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an up-shift of the gear engaged. The first and the second lever produce respective second operating positions to control the following operations: the engagement of reverse gear; the selection of an automatic mode of operation of the automatic transmission; and the selection of a ‘sports’-type of mode of operation of the automatic transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Giuseppe Medico, Giovanni Tornatore, Cesare Sola, Gianluigi Lenzi
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Publication number: 20020040615Abstract: A device for shifting an automatic transmission of a vehicle is provided. The shift device includes a shift lever and a case. The shift lever is moved among a plurality of shift positions. The case receives a lower portion of the shift lever. The housing accommodates the lower portion of the shift lever and has a guide hole that guides the movement of the shift lever. The case includes a housing and a base, which is formed integrally with the housing and is attached to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventor: Shigetoshi Tomida
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Patent number: 6364428Abstract: An apparatus for a quick release mechanism in a railcar hand brake. The hand brake has a housing having a front casing with an inside wall of a predetermined size and shape, and a back plate. An operating shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing. The operating shaft includes a first end and a second end. The operating shaft further includes a ratchet wheel rotatable with the operating shaft intermediate the first and second ends thereof, and a release shaft rotatably mounted in the housing. The apparatus comprises a projection of a predetermined size and shape disposed substantially perpendicular to the ratchet wheel, and a flexible clamp of a predetermined size and shape mounted inside the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventors: Angelo M. Labriola, Everett G. Ring
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Patent number: 6360627Abstract: An arrangement of an offset shift lever for an automotive vehicle transmission having a shift stub which is connected to the transmission and which also has a generally axial threaded bore. A metal cylindrical insert is sized to fit over the shift stub. The insert has a partially closed end with a fastener shank opening. An elastic isolator is bonded to the insert. The isolator has a fastener opening generally aligned with the fastener shank opening of the insert. A metallic canister encircles the isolator and is bonded thereto. The canister has a fastener opening and a shift lever opening. A shift lever is connected with the canister along its lower end which is received into the canister shift lever opening. The shift lever is aligned parallel and off-center to the shift stub by the canister. A threaded fastener is inserted through the canister and isolator fastener opening to threadably connect the shift lever canister isolator and insert with the transmission shift stub.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: David G Buckingham, Kevin J Rachuk, James R Shore
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Patent number: 6325465Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a railcar hand brake comprises a release shaft having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a cavity of a predetermined size and shape. A release lever has a hub journaled on the first end of the release shaft. A stop of a predetermined size and shape is disposed on the circumference of the hub of the release lever and engageable with the cavity of the release shaft to rotate such release shaft to cause free release of the brakes. A projection of a predetermined size and shape is disposed on the second end of the release shaft. An attachment of a predetermined size and shape is mounted to an inside wall of a housing of such hand brake. A tension member has a first end and a second end. The first end is secured to the projection, and the second end is secured to the attachment whereby the tension member will return the release shaft to the brake application position.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventors: Howard Sommerfeld, Angelo M. Labriola, Everett G. Ring
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Patent number: 6317673Abstract: A third braking system for an electric motorcycle includes a circuiting apparatus and a mechanism. By depressing an electric-braking button on a switch part of a handle set, a braking signal will be generated and be sent to a signal transformer via an input device of the circuiting apparatus. The signal transformer transforms the braking signal into a digital signal, and then the digital signal is sent to a CPU. After processing the digital signal and detecting the voltage level at a variable resistor, the CPU stops the transmission of driving signals to a driving circuitry for disabling the operation of a speed-control handler of the mechanism, and the CPU also generates a reverse electric potential corresponding to the detected voltage level. The reverse electric potential is then applied to a DC motor via a braking circuitry, for reducing rotation speed of the DC motor to stop the motorcycle. To relieve the braking, the speed-control handler is rotated back to an original state.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Inventor: Chung-Hsien Lin
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Patent number: 6314832Abstract: Apparatus to provide controlled frictional resistance to cyclic displacement of a member, comprising a base, a friction part frictionally and slidably engagable with base, in response to displacement of member, at least one spring element transmitting force acting to hold part in frictional engagement with the base, one of friction part and base having a friction surface engaged with the other of part and base, and characterized in that the force to overcome friction between the base and part remains substantially constant over a large number of displacement cycles of the member.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Adams Rite Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Stephen P. Graber, Stephen A. Harris
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Publication number: 20010037700Abstract: There is provided a shift lever device which comprises a shift lever which allows selection of an arbitrary shift range by shift operation and also comprises supporting means which rotatably supports the shift lever and is broken due to axial impact force applied to the shift lever. Accordingly, when axial impact force (strong force) is applied to the shift lever, the supporting means is broken. The breakage of the supporting means allows absorption of the impact force applied to the shift lever. Namely, in the shift lever device of the present invention, the impact force applied to the shift lever is absorbed due to the breakage of the supporting means. For this reason, an absorbing ability to the impact force is improved as compared with a conventional shift lever device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventors: Masaya Nishimura, Kazuhiro Sato, Masaki Fujita, Yoshitaka Watanabe, Hitoshi Kanazawa, Noriyasu Shamoto
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Patent number: 6286385Abstract: A shift lever device includes a shift lever which allows selection of an arbitrary shift range by shift operation and which is rotatably supported by a structure that breaks when an axial impact force above a preselected magnitude is applied to the shift lever. The breakage of the supporting structure allows safer absorption of an impact force applied to the shift lever. The breakable supporting structure may take the form of a portion of a thin portion of a circular wall forming a bearing that rotatably supports the shift lever, or a frangible pin or bracket that pivotably supports the shift lever.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Masaya Nishimura, Kazuhiro Sato, Masaki Fujita, Yoshitaka Watanabe, Hitoshi Kanazawa, Noriyasu Shamoto
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Patent number: 6282980Abstract: A self-adjusting parking brake actuator for a vehicle is provided having an eccentrically-mounted self-adjust cam assembly. The cam assembly is mounted eccentrically to the lever axis to provide a variable mechanical advantage during actuator stroke. The eccentric offset for the self-adjusting cam is less than the outside radius of the cam to reduce the overall space requirements of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventor: Michael Sykes
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Patent number: 6269710Abstract: A locking device for a rotatable latching element with a bending spring is provided for a gear selecting system of a motor vehicle. In order to improve such a locking device in terms of the structural cost required, it is proposed to locate the bending spring on the latching element. A first end of the bending spring is mounted in a fixed location on the latching element and the bending spring rests at a distance from its second free end on a support located on the latching element. Corresponding to the free end of the bending spring, a shoulder is provided in the vicinity of a rotational axis of the latching element on the housing of the selecting device. To unlock the locking device, an actuating element engages between the fixed bearing and the support for the bending spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AGInventor: Edmund Sander
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Patent number: H2024Abstract: An adjustable control assembly includes a plurality of control members. The control members preferably include moveable portions such as levers that are manipulable to accomplish a desired operation of heavy duty machinery such as construction equipment, for example. The control members are supported on support plates that are pivotally moveable relative to each other about a single pivot axis. A locking mechanism is provided to selectively lock the support plates into a chosen position relative to each other. By adjusting the positions of the support plates, a variety of operator needs and preferences are readily accommodated providing effective and efficient access to the control members.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Craig B. Kelley, Daniel E. Shearer, Susan M. Boast