Interrelated Lever Release Patents (Class 74/529)
  • Patent number: 11560700
    Abstract: A faucet-less sink assembly for hands-free use of a sink includes a sink bowl that is mounted to a wall of a bathroom. The sink bowl has a plurality of low pressure ports and a high pressure point each being integrated therein. A pumping unit is in fluid communication with each of the low pressure ports and the high pressure port. The pumping unit pumps a fluid into the low pressure ports to facilitate a user to wash their hands and the high pressure port for washing a personal hygiene tool. A temperature control pedal is positioned on a floor beneath the sink bowl for spraying the fluid from the low pressure ports. A high pressure pedal is positioned on the floor beneath the sink bowl for spraying fluid from the high pressure port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Alan Torres
  • Patent number: 9988023
    Abstract: The invention relates to an activation device (1) for a parking brake with a parking brake lever (2) swivel-mounted on a bearing block (3) and with a blocking device comprised of a pawl (13) on the parking brake lever (2) and a locking segment (12) on the bearing block (3). The parking brake lever (2) is fixed in place in a swivel position via the engagement of the pawl (13) with the locking segment (12). The swivel position of the parking brake lever (2) is transmitted via a transmission element to the parking brake and with a transfer device in or on the parking brake lever (2). The engagement of the pawl (13) with the locking segment (12) is released by actuating the transfer device. To form a swivel bearing, a shaft is provided to which a holder (7) for the transmission element and the parking brake lever (2) can be affixed in different rotational positions. As an alternative, or in addition, a linear movement of the pawl (13) is brought about by means of the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Power-Cast Light Metal Solutions GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kaltenmaier
  • Patent number: 9815671
    Abstract: A system for operating a brake lever includes a handle and a lock having a first position that prevents pivotal movement of the handle with respect to the lever and a second position that allows pivotal movement of the handle with respect to the lever. A method for operating a brake lever includes locking a handle to the lever to prevent pivotal movement between the handle and the lever and manually positioning the lever to apply and release the brake. The method further includes unlocking the handle from the lever to permit pivotal movement between the handle and the lever and automatically positioning the lever to apply the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Barry Nield
  • Patent number: 8997786
    Abstract: Disclosed is a work vehicle having a hydraulic apparatus which can reliably prevent erroneous operation of the valve of the hydraulic apparatus even when the operating lever is moved inadvertently. With this hydraulic apparatus, with operations of a single operating lever in two directions, two valves are operated respectively. Two valve operating links for operating the two valves respectively are pivotally supported to a support shaft provided to a pair of frame plates and a lock pin is provided to the frame plates. The two valve operating links form pin holes. When the two valves are at the neutral positions, the lock pin is inserted into the pin holes with a locking operation of a lock operating tool, thus fixing the valve operating links and locking the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Hisashi Tsukatani
  • Publication number: 20150068358
    Abstract: An auxiliary lock structure (6) includes: an auxiliary lock member (61) arranged inside a frame (2) and configured to shift between an auxiliary lock position to engage with a lock member (5) and prevent a shift of the lock member (5) and an auxiliary lock release position to allow the shift of the lock member (5); an auxiliary biasing unit (62) configured to bias the auxiliary lock member (61) from the auxiliary lock release position toward the auxiliary lock position; and a trigger (31) provided on an inner surface of a cover (3) mounted to the frame (2), and configured to engage with the auxiliary biasing unit (62) and hold the auxiliary lock member (61) in the auxiliary lock release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20150068359
    Abstract: A steering lock device (1) includes: a frame (2) including a unit accommodating chamber (24) opening at one surface side of the frame (2), and a trigger inserting hole (26) penetrating the frame (2) from the other surface side of the frame (2) to the unit accommodating chamber (24); a unit case (63) accommodated in the unit accommodating chamber (24); a locking protrusion (25) protruding from an inner wall of the unit accommodating chamber (24) and provided on an extension of the trigger inserting hole (26) in the unit accommodating chamber (24) in an extending manner; and a locking claw (66) provided to the unit case (63) and being engageable with the locking protrusion (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8955882
    Abstract: An inner column 2 is fitted in an outer column 1 in such a way as to be able to slide in the axial direction. The outer column 1 is mounted on a vehicle body 5 by a vehicle mount bracket 3. Fastening portions 65B, 65B of a right distance bracket 6B pass through through-holes 13, 14 respectively to be able to be in contact with the outer circumference 21 of the inner column and directly fasten the outer circumference of the inner column. Thus, there is provided a steering apparatus that is simple in structure without need to provide an additional mechanism for preventing rotation of an inner column and in which the magnitude of fastening force exerted on the inner column does not vary depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Masajirou Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8881620
    Abstract: A hydraulic operated valve includes an electromagnetic adsorption mechanism and a steel ball. In the electromagnetic adsorption mechanism, when a current is supplied, an adsorption plate is adsorbed by a solenoid. By this adsorption, a steel ball is pressed against an outer surface of a cam disc. The outer surface of the cam disc includes two steps. When the cam disc is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the pressed steel ball engages the two steps. Thus, the cam disc is detented. These two steps are configured such that when the cam disc is returned to a neutral position, the adsorption plate is separated from the solenoid against the pressing of the electromagnetic adsorption mechanism. Thus, the detent state of the cam disc is canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Togashi, Noriaki Inoue, Satoshi Akamatsu, Kenji Nakamura, Fumio Kameyama
  • Publication number: 20140208992
    Abstract: A foldable table may include a table top and legs that are movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. The table top may include a first section and a second section that are connected by a hinge assembly. A locking member may be sized and configured to lock the hinge assembly in a fixed position. Advantageously, moving the legs between the extended and collapsed positions may cause the locking mechanism to move between the locked and unlocked positions. Thus, when the legs are in the extended position and the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the table top may be secured in the unfolded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Jinlong Cai, Kwang Ho Baik
  • Publication number: 20130025402
    Abstract: An assembled structure of brake release knob that assures a predetermined anchoring force, and reliable anchoring with no damage being caused in assembling. A cap (80) is fixed in a brake lever distal end part (11); a brake release knob (20) is inserted into the cap (80); a flange part (23) formed on a leg part (22) extending from a head part (21) of the brake release knob is engaged with an innermost end (85) of the cap; in the brake lever distal end part (11), a distal end part taperedly extending from a shoulder part (72) of a release rod (70) is inserted closer to the center of the cap (80) than the leg part (22) of the brake release knob; and between the shoulder part (72) and the innermost end (85) of the cap, the flange part (23) of the brake release knob is sandwiched under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Eiji KAWANO, Satoru Masuda
  • Patent number: 8127883
    Abstract: A safety interlock system for hand operated vehicle accelerator control systems is disclosed which permits a hand operated accelerator control system to be immobilized so that it cannot be activated unintentionally or accidentally by an individual operator who is not familiar with a vehicle so equipped. The safety interlock system may be selectively activated by the vehicle operator manually directly by mechanical means or remotely by means of a switch-controlled hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical activator. An indicator system is provided which indicates the status of the safety interlock system to the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: John Livingston Kazanchy
  • Patent number: 8127743
    Abstract: A work implement in the nature of a drive for a tool includes a starting and/or switching-off braking device for the tool. A brake button is provided which can be externally actuated by a user, with which a starting and/or switching-off brake can be released. A device is also provided which can change the rotational speed of the drive, the device having a throttle button capable of being actuated by the user from outside. The brake button and the throttle button are arranged on a handle so that they can be contacted simultaneously by the hand of a user, where the throttle button can be actuated when the starting and/or switching-off brake is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: DOLMAR GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Vick, Mark Jesse
  • Patent number: 8123004
    Abstract: A hand brake actuator for a rail car has a rotary input connected to a rotary output by a transmission including a clutch and a ratchet wheel and pawl, a declutching mechanism for disengaging the clutch in a declutched position of the declutching mechanism, and a release handle with a first cam which drives the declutching mechanism to the declutched position when the release handle is moved from an apply position to a release position. A second cam is biased in a first direction to engage and retain the declutching mechanism in a declutched position after the release handle is removed from the release position. A follower is connected to the second cam and is responsive to the rotation of the input in an apply direction to rotate the second cam in a second direction opposite the first direction to release the declutching mechanism and allow the clutch to reengage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne G. Klasing, Paul Borgarding, Steven R. Newton, Jeffrey F. Sauter
  • Publication number: 20120024104
    Abstract: In one implementation a parking brake drive unit for a vehicle is provided that includes a main lever assembled in a pivoting manner on a support; a pivoting catch member on the main lever that includes engagement means adapted to engage a fixed geared sector, a button assembled on the main lever and connected to a rod that is adapted to move the catch member to disengage the engagement means from the geared sector when the button is operated; and an electrically activated locking device that operates to immobilize the rod when the locking device is electrically de-activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: BATZ, S.COOP.
    Inventors: Palacio Argüelles Joseba, Revilla Mozas Alexander
  • Patent number: 7954591
    Abstract: A safety interlock system for hand operated vehicle accelerator control systems is disclosed which permits a hand operated accelerator control system to be immobilized so that it cannot be activated unintentionally or accidentally by an individual operator who is not familiar with a vehicle so equipped. The safety interlock system may be selectively activated by the vehicle operator manually directly by mechanical means or remotely by means of a switch-controlled hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical activator. An indicator system is provided which indicates the status of the safety interlock system to the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: John Livingston Kazanchy
  • Patent number: 7950489
    Abstract: A safety interlock system for left foot operated vehicle accelerator control systems is disclosed which permits a left foot operated accelerator control system to be immobilized so that it cannot be activated unintentionally or accidentally by an individual operator who is not familiar with a vehicle so equipped. The safety interlock system may be selectively activated by the vehicle operator manually directly by mechanical means or remotely by means of a switch-controlled hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical activator. An indicator system is provided which indicates the status of the safety interlock system to the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: John Livingston Kazanchy
  • Patent number: 7723628
    Abstract: A remotely configurable control lever is disclosed for operating an electrical switch on the control panel of an agricultural vehicle. A cam plate 22 rotatable with the control lever has a cam track 23 defining at least one notch, which is selectively engaged by a resiliently biased detent 24 to latch the control lever in a predetermined position. A solenoid 32 is provided for retracting the detent to allow the control lever 10 to return to a neutral position. A second cam track 123 is provided which is rotatable with the control lever 10 and defines at least one stop cooperating with a further retractable detent 124 to limit the range of angular displacement of the control lever 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Tim Jarrett
  • Publication number: 20100096897
    Abstract: A locking and releasing mechanism for a seat having a first fitting part associated with one of a seat part and a backrest and a second fitting part associated with the other one of the seat part and the backrest that may be locked and released relative to one another by the mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes a detent pawl configured to selectively latch the first fitting part to lock a displacement of the first fitting part and the second fitting part relative to one another and a detent plate configured to be reversibly displaced between a detent position, wherein the detent plate locks the detent pawl so that the detent pawl remains latched with the first fitting part, and a release position, wherein the detent plate allows the detent pawl to be released from the first fitting part. The mechanism also includes drive means configured to selectively move the detent plate between the detent position and the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Ingo Kienke, James Abraham, Prasad Andhavarapu Bhavani, Kirubaharan Reginold Albert
  • Publication number: 20100031769
    Abstract: A shift module assembly for controlling the movement of a vehicle transmission out of a park condition responsive to a condition of the ignition system of the vehicle and responsive to a position of the vehicle brake pedal includes a moveable swing arm adapted to selectively control the condition of the vehicle transmission. The swing arm is in a park position when the vehicle transmission is in the park condition. The swing arm is locked in an immobile position by a solenoid operated armature shaft when the swing arm is placed in the park position. The armature shaft is in direct contact with said swing arm when said swing arm is in the locked position. The armature shaft releases the swing arm from the locked position upon actuation of the vehicle ignition system and depression of the vehicle brake pedal. The swing arm includes a stress line that will cause the swing arm to break along the stress line before, the swing arm is moved out of the park position if excessive force is applied to the swing arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Wayne Avers, Steven Waldie, Greg Scout, Daniel McCluskey, Jeff Adelmann, Joe Carano
  • Patent number: 7526981
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a motor vehicle includes a fixed support, a lever pivotably connected to the support for movement between brake-releasing and brake-engaging positions, and a locking mechanism adapted to releasably maintain the lever in the brake-engaging position. An electrical switch has a blade operable to indicate when the lever is out of the brake releasing position. The fixed support forms a unitary mounting bracket for securing the switch blade to the fixed support so that the switch is integrated with the actuator. The fixed support and the unitary mounting bracket are preferably unitarily molded of plastic. The switch is preferably located near a mounting hole formed in the fixed support which receives a fastener to secure the fixed support to the motor vehicle. The switch can then extend to the mounting hole to contact the fastener and connect the switch to motor vehicle ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Stephen Ferenc
  • Publication number: 20080034914
    Abstract: A parking brake control system for a vehicle has a pedal and a brake release handle that are operatively connected to one another by a linkage. The pedal has an arm and a pedal pad. An operator depresses the pedal to simultaneously engage a parking brake and cause the release handle to move from a position generally flush with an instrument panel, to a position extending from the instrument panel. The parking brake is disengaged by pulling the release handle farther out of the instrument panel, and then releasing the handle to permit the handle to return to its generally flush condition while allowing the pedal to move to an undepressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: John Hwang
  • Patent number: 7272988
    Abstract: A shift knob (1) for a gearshift lever (3) of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle has a locking bar (5) guided axially in the gearshift lever (3) and a release button (2) which can be actuated manually for actuating the locking bar (5) in relation to the gearshift lever (3). The release button (2) is arranged in the shift knob (1) at the top end of the gearshift lever (3). The release button (2) is connected to the shift knob (1) by means of at least one lever arm (16) via a mounting site (17). The length of the lever arm (16) of the release button (2) is selected such in relation to the path traveled by the release button (2) during the actuation that the release button (2) performs an essentially linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Jörg Meyer, Klemens Meyer, Jan Szekeres-Kriselius
  • Patent number: 7258205
    Abstract: A power tool includes a braking system that minimizes a stopping time for a cutting blade of the power tool. The braking system includes a roller bearing clutch mechanism combined with a positive stop pin. The stop pin is provided at an end portion of a cable assembly. The cable assembly is coupled to a trigger through a lever on one end, with the stop pin and a return spring inserted into a gear box on the other end. When the trigger is in a released position, the stop pin fully engages into a positive stop on a bearing cage at a top portion of the drive assembly. The coiled return spring keeps the stop pin in position. When the trigger is pulled, the cable pulls the stop pin out of the positive stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Husqvarna Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome L. Berti, Terry E. Fear, James R. Higgins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7194929
    Abstract: A pole for a hand pallet truck that includes a pole bar which is linked to a support for a steerable wheel at its lower end and connected to a loop-shaped handle at the other end. An operating device is disposed within the space defined by the handle. The operating device is attached to a holding extension projecting into the handle in prolongation of the bar, and is connectable to a lifting apparatus of the hand pallet truck via a traction and/or pushing element. If applicable, it is connectable via a second traction and/or pushing element to a brake of the hand pallet truck, wherein an operating lever is disposed on either side of the extension. The operating levers are pivotally mounted on the holding extension in a plane essentially defined by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin von Werder
  • Patent number: 6945376
    Abstract: A mechanism to retrofit modern motorcycles with a foot operated clutch or to be installed as original equipment is disclosed. The mechanism has an escapement mechanism, such as a pawl and ratchet, for holding the clutch in disengaged condition when a rider applies positive pressure on a foot pedal without requiring the rider to hold the foot pedal down with his or her left foot. This frees the rider to balance the motorcycle. The mechanism then allows the clutch to be readily reengaged when the rider desires to move the motorcycle by applying further positive pressure to the foot pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Robert M. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6915719
    Abstract: A pedal release structure for a parking brake is disclosed. The structure preferably includes a locking lever rotatably mounted on an assembly bracket, a resilient unit for resiliently supporting the locking lever in order to rotate the locking lever in an opposite direction from the return direction of the parking brake pedal, a rotation scope limiting unit for limiting the rotation scope of the locking lever, a locking unit for allowing a release lever to lock the locking lever according as the release cable is pulled, and a releasing unit for allowing the release lever locked by the locking lever to be released. With this structure the release lever is enabled to continue acting on a torsion spring until the parking brake pedal is completely released even when the return speed of the parking brake pedal is slowed due to cold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Myung-Jong Joo
  • Patent number: 6907963
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system (50) for a vehicle such as a golf car or the like uses the same brakes (52) and same brake pedal (80) for both service braking and park and hold braking. The brakes (52) are selectively engaged, locked in their engaged position, and released using an integrated control assembly including a brake pedal (80), an accelerator pedal (82), and a brake pedal locking mechanism (84). The brake pedal locking mechanism (84) is configured to automatically latch the brake pedal (80) in a locked position thereof and to automatically unlatch the brake pedal (80) from its locked position upon either subsequent movement of the brake pedal (80) into an overtravel position or subsequent actuation of the accelerator pedal (82). In addition, a hydraulic accumulator (62) stores part of the energy generated upon brake pedal depression and consequent manual actuation of a master cylinder (60) of the system to maintain the brakes (52) in their fully engaged state when the brake pedal (80) is latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignees: Hayes Brake LLC, Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman, Susan R. Lang, legal representative, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Joseph A. Lang, deceased
  • Patent number: 6902190
    Abstract: Such systems typically have an extendable rollover bar, which in its extended position is locked against being pushed back in by a locking pawl that is in operative locking engagement with a toothed segment. To make it possible by simple means to use both hands to return the rollover bar to its retracted position when required, the invention provides a reversing lever, which can be manually brought to a self-holding position above dead center while unlocking the locking pawl before the rollover bar is pushed in. This self-holding position can be automatically canceled again just before the rollover bar reaches its standby position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: ISE Innomotive Systems Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Nass
  • Patent number: 6840134
    Abstract: A hand brake arrangement for a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car, has a brake lever which is swivellably disposed on a vehicle-fixed stationary base and, with a locking device, can be locked in different swivelling positions. The brake lever has an unlocking device for releasing the locking. The unlocking device has two release press buttons which each drive a push rod, a rocker lever which is swivellably about a rocker axis disposed on the brake lever and on which, on two sides which are opposed with respect to the rocker axis, the two push rods are pivotally connected. A release cable control, on one end, is applied to at least one of the push rods or to at least one of the release press buttons or to the rocker lever and, on the other end, is coupled with the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Falk Stadler
  • Patent number: 6810767
    Abstract: A lock comprising a roller stop having a forward end; at least a first roller receiving concavity mounted for movement across the forward end of the roller stop; a roller mounted for movement between forward and rearward positions, the roller, while at its forward position, extending into the at least first roller receiving concavity and overlying the forward end of the roller stop; a plunger having a forward end and a rearward end, the plunger being mounted for motion between forward and rearward positions, the plunger, while at its forward position, holding the roller at its forward position, the plunger, while at its rearward position, allowing the roller to move to its rearward position; and a toggle mounted for alternate flexion and hyperextension, the toggle, upon hyperextension, holding the plunger at its forward position, the toggle, upon flexion, holding the plunger at its rearward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Aerospace Systems & Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren Dale Sutton, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6739435
    Abstract: A device for locking/unlocking the movement of a notched member, comprising a toothed wheel, having a coaxial bore and whereof the teeth have a pitch equal to that of the member, and a fixed shaft about which is mounted the toothed wheel, the shaft has a diameter less than that of the bore of the wheel such that, subsequent to a radial clearance, the wheel is capable of moving between a centered unlocking position wherein the tops of the teeth of the notched member closest to the wheel, are located outside the pitch circle P of the wheel and the member can then move freely, and an off-center locking position, when the member exerts on the wheel a force F directed towards the axis of the shaft, position wherein the top of the tooth of the member is located, between two teeth of the wheel, inside the pitch circle P, so that the member and the wheel are mutually locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Gillet Outillage
    Inventors: Pascal Gillet, Laurent Melin
  • Patent number: 6732608
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6688190
    Abstract: A manual lever drive for an adjusting device on a seat for converting a lifting movement into a discontinuous rotational movement has a support arm and a step-by step mechanism having an output member and an input member. The output member is configured to be coupled with a rotatingly moveable control member of the adjusting device. A transmission member is connected to the input member for torque transmission onto the input member. A manual lever is connected to the support arm so as to pivot about a first axis of rotation. The manual lever is configured to actuate the transmission member. The transmission member is arranged on the input member providing a second axis of rotation. A pivot angle of the manual lever imparts to the transmission member a pivot movement increasing a corresponding pivot angle of the second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Bernd Angermann, Dirk Angermann, Detlev Backert, Jürgen Stemmer, Christoph Leibeling, Rolf Schüler
  • Patent number: 6648113
    Abstract: A clutch pedal locking assembly for a vehicle having a manual transmission and a clutch. A latch assembly, when actuated, holds a clutch pedal down after the vehicle operator presses the clutch pedal down, thus leaving the vehicle clutch disengaged even when the operator removes his foot from the clutch pedal. When the latch assembly is deactivated, the clutch pedal will operate the same as a conventional clutch pedal in a manual transmission vehicle. The latch assembly may be activated and deactivated by a cable that connects to an activation collar on the gear shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Bellfy
  • Patent number: 6631655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shifter for actuating at least one gear mechanism of a bicycle including a housing, a gripping element for actuating the shifter, and a movable element for exerting tension on and/or for releasing a gear transfer means. The movable element has a pawl which engages in a set of latching teeth in the housing. The gripping element has a lifter which disengages the pawl from the latching teeth during a shifting operation in the release direction. A driver on the gripping part preloads a spring on the movable element during a shifting operation in the release direction which urges the movable element in the release direction. The advantage of a shifter for bicycle gear mechanisms according to the present invention is to be found in that, by simple means, it becomes possible to shift gears, especially in the release direction, quickly and independently of the preload being exerted on the movable element by the gear mechanism via the transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Blaschke, Marcus Auer
  • Patent number: 6592163
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle includes a drive train with a drive gear and an output gear. An electric motor is connected to the drive gear. A drive shaft is slidably received through a center hole in the output gear so as to be longitudinally movable relative to the output gear. A clutch operates to engage the drive shaft with the output gear as the drive shaft is moved in a first direction and to disengage the drive shaft from said output gear as the drive shaft is moved in a second direction. A drive member connected to a first end of the drive shaft is engageable with a room actuation mechanism, and a crank handle is removably connectable to a second end of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Michael W. Nebel
  • Patent number: 6572209
    Abstract: A drive for opening and closing a cover member in a motor vehicle has a lever which includes a detent device, for example a spring-loaded pin, which is pressed into a detent notch by force of a spring and is disengageable when a predetermined force is exceed and as a result disconnects an electric motor for opening and closing said cover member. It is therefore possible to open the cover member even when the electric motor fails, by disengaging the lever by hand, and the lever forms an overload safety device for the electric motor in the event of the cover member becoming jammed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Fishcherwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co., KG, DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ralf Koepff, Steffen Breunig
  • Patent number: 6457568
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lang, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman
  • Patent number: 6415681
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly comprising parking brake and service brake pedal levers. The parking brake pedal lever engages and is maintained in a fixed location by a torsion spring. The torsion spring can be released by operating either the service brake or an accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Orscheln Products LLC
    Inventors: Curtis H. Porter, Michael H. Schmidt, Wayne Soucie, Jeffrey Tayon
  • Patent number: 6382048
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-adjustable cable tensioning device for a parking brake of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Samlip Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sug-Jun Youn, Gil-Young Jung
  • Patent number: 6374694
    Abstract: A hand brake device for a wheelchair comprising a hand brake device on either handlebar and an associated brake provided on wheel. The hand brake device comprises a body member, a brake lever, and an actuator. Brake lever is coupled to brake cable. Body member comprises an open space with two extended opposite curve members of brake lever received therein, and a recess pivoted about a bolt. Operator may grip lever member to pivot brake lever so as to move toward or away from handlebar, thus tautening the brake cable for braking. A stopper member is inserted into channel of opening on the side of body member. When the brake lever is pulled toward or pushed away from the handle, the brake cable is tautened for braking the vehicle such that the stopper member clears from the channel. Further, pulls or pushes the actuator to cause the end of the stopper member to be clung between the dents, thereby locking the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: ENSD Corporation
    Inventor: Chi-Shen Chen
  • Patent number: 6343525
    Abstract: A locking mechanism selectively prevents rotational movement of a handle relative to a frame. The locking mechanism includes a fork member having first and second ends and pivotally attached to the frame member at a pivot located between the first and second ends; a first locking device located at the first end of the fork member; a second locking device located on the handle and engaging the first locking device on the first end of the fork member for preventing rotational movement of the handle; an elastic member for biasing the first and second locking devices into engagement; and an attachment mechanism located at the second end of the fork member. A tension force on the attachment mechanism pivots the fork member about the pivot member to disengage the first and second locking devices and allow the handle to rotate relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Joseph Nicolosi, William A. Burton, Dara Nanette Lubin
  • Patent number: 6341539
    Abstract: A parking brake system for a vehicle comprising a brake pedal vertically penetrating a floor of a vehicle, a first engaging member integrally provided on the brake pedal below the floor, a parking brake operating member disposed above the floor, a second engaging member for engaging with the catch pivoted on a chassis of the vehicle below the floor so as to be shifted between a locking position and an unlocking position in accordance with operation of the parking brake operating member, and an overcenter spring interposed between the second engaging member and the chassis so as to alternately bias the second engaging member toward the locking position and the unlocking position. The parking brake operating member is shifted so as to be retained at either a releasing position or a parking position. The second engaging member is retained at the locking position when the parking brake lever is located at the parking position, and if the brake pedal is lowered, engages with the first engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Kanaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Tsuda
  • Patent number: 6338288
    Abstract: A rail brake controller with a locking device includes a handle coupled to a hub. The hub includes a notch. A pawl is provided adjacent the hub and rotates between an unlocked position out of the notch and a locked position in the notch when the handle is in a preselected angular position. This position may represent, for example, a full service application. A lock assembly is provided coupled to the pawl and controls the position of the pawl. The pawl includes an arcuate recess and the lock assembly includes a pin in the arcuate recess to limit the angular position of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corp.
    Inventors: Michael J. Spadaccini, Ronald O. Newton
  • Publication number: 20010025544
    Abstract: Pull-handle arrangement for releasing a foot-operated parking brake of a motor vehicle. A pull-handle arrangement having a handle element which is held in a linearly movable manner in a handle mounting fixed on the vehicle and, with the aid of a cable, acts on the foot-operated parking brake, and also is in operative connection with a restoring spring of the foot-operated parking brake. Dampers which retard the return movement of the handle element are provided between the handle element and handle mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Falk Stadler, Jurgen Bronner, Ernst Franz
  • Patent number: 6286389
    Abstract: A parking brake actuating assembly that has a lockout structure constructed and arranged to enable a lockout operation to be performed by applying tension to the brake cable opposite the brake activating direction so as to rotate the take-up member in the cable slackening direction against the biasing force of the take-up spring until the take-up member reaches the lockout position and the lockout structure is caused to move towards and into the releasable retaining position thereof in response to the take-up member moving into the lockout position thereof to thereby releasably lock the take-up member in the lockout position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventor: George Papadatos
  • Patent number: 6282980
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sykes
  • Patent number: 6260436
    Abstract: A locking device is provided for a selector with a locking member, having devices for receiving at least one latching element. To actuate the latching element, a latching lever is actuated by outside force. To increase operating safety during the locking of the selector, a support on the latching lever holds the latching element in a first, locked position and another element for pivoting the latching element into a second, unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Ag, Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Endmund Sander, Paul Weiss
  • Patent number: 6240804
    Abstract: This mechanism includes a fixing device (5) comprising a fixing body (36) which meshes with toothing (34) of the support (1) and a helical fixing spring (37); a self-regulating device (3) comprising a traction body (11) to which is fixed the end of the steel cable (28) which links with the brake callipers or shoes attached to the mechanism, a spiral traction spring (12) and a helical locking spring (13), mounted coaxially to each other and so designed that, when the brake lever (2) is in the rest position, the spiral spring (12) subjects the cable (28) to traction, permanently adjusting the length of its sheathed portion; and a self-adjusting device (4) of the initial length of the cable (28) which includes a removable pin (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas Cebollero
  • Patent number: 6223624
    Abstract: A parking brake device includes a base member and at least one cable connected to a braking system at one end. The other end of the cable is connected to a connecting member. The connecting member is slidably supported by the base member. A brake lever is rotatably attached to the base member so as to be erectable around a position in the vicinity of an extension extending in the sliding direction of the connecting member. A junction member is rotatably connected to the connecting member at one end. The other end of the connecting member is connected to at least one moving member to which the junction member is rotatably attached. The moving member is moveably attached to the brake lever. An adjustment mechanism is provided outside the brake lever. The adjusting mechanism adjusts the tension of the cable through the junction member and the connecting member by changing the position of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Otsuka Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Iwanaga, Satoru Masuda