Lever Carried Pawl Patents (Class 74/535)
  • Patent number: 10688973
    Abstract: A parking brake emulator assembly for a vehicle is provided. The emulator assembly includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a front spring mounting flange with a spring mounting hole. The emulator assembly further includes a brake lever, a spring guiding rod, a spring, and a rear spring holder. The brake lever is rotatable relative to the mounting bracket into a neutral position and a brake application position. The spring guiding rod is coupled to the brake lever via a pinned connection, and extends through the spring and the rear spring holder. Rotation of the brake lever from the neutral position to the brake application position moves the pinned connection to thereby move the spring guiding rod and the rear spring holder towards the front spring mounting flange, thereby compressing the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Jaafar Bashiry-Khoshraftar, Simon Kwan Hoi Chan, Hai Yang Zou, Rajesh Marwaha, Joaquin Hung, Ramesh Periasamy
  • Patent number: 10310543
    Abstract: An actuator release mechanism includes an axially moveable member biased in a first axial position by a bias spring and driven to a second axial position by an actuation means such as a solenoid arranged in substantially the same axis as the axially moveable member. The axially moveable member can be a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Przemysław Kiełczykowski, Jakub Bobak
  • Patent number: 10131182
    Abstract: A motorcycle wheel is provided, in particular a motorcycle wheel suitable for use on an enduro motorcycle. The wheel includes a cast or forged rim having integrally spokes which extend toward a central hub connection region. The central hub connection region is configured to receive a hub element in a detachably fastened manner. The hub element forms a hub of the motorcycle wheel which is connectable to a motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Mohr, Andreas Adam
  • Patent number: 9823682
    Abstract: A parking brake operating device includes: a lever body; a pole pivotally arranged inside a proximal end portion of the lever body, and restricts pivoting movement of the lever body; and a release rod pivotally connected to the pole, and causes the pole to disengage from the ratchet when a release knob is pushed, the operating portion being provided with a slit being provided with a wide portion into which a pivot connecting portion for the release rod and the pole is introduced, the wide portion being provided in a part of the slit; the wide portion having parallel portions; and the release rod and the pole fitted at positions in the lever body by introducing the release rod and the pivot connecting portion into the operating portion through the slit, and moving the release rod and the pivot connecting portion in this state toward the proximal end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA IRON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiro Takeshima, Mitsuo Yoshida, Kozo Ryutaki
  • Patent number: 8839691
    Abstract: A parking brake for a motor vehicle is provided. The parking brake includes a brake actuation lever which is arranged pivotably on a lever holder, a coupling unit for coupling the brake actuation lever to a brake cable, a locking device which comprises a toothing arranged on the lever holder and a locking catch engaging in the toothing, a catch spring for prestressing the locking catch in the direction of the toothing, a release device which comprises a push rod which can be displaced between an inoperative position and a release position along the brake actuation lever, and a triggering element, wherein the push rod has an aperture, a guide element for guiding the push rod and a spring element for prestressing the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Krompass
  • Patent number: 8806979
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for a parking brake includes a manual brake lever pivotably coupled to a bearing block, a locking device adapted to secure the manual brake lever in a predetermined pivoting position, an actuating rod guided inside the manual brake lever and operatively connected to the locking device, and a guiding device for the actuating rod located on the manual brake lever. The guiding device comprises a U-shaped profile having an opening oriented toward a side of the manual brake lever. The opening is adapted to receive the actuating rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Dietz-automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Baris Barcin
  • Patent number: 8667862
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for a parking brake includes a manual brake lever pivotably coupled to a bearing block and a locking device adapted to lock the manual brake lever into a position. The locking device includes a detent arranged on the manual brake lever and adapted to pivot around a pivoting axis, the detent having a bore, a locking segment connected to the bearing block, a spring element adapted to hold the detent into a locking position on the locking segment, and a connecting element adapted to secure the detent on the manual brake lever. The connecting element and the spring element jointly form a single structural unit adapted for insertion into the bore in the detent during installation of the detent on the manual brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dietz-automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Baris Barcin
  • Patent number: 8578813
    Abstract: In a parking brake system, a locking tooth of a ratchet plate includes a first area for contacting and retaining a locking claw of a ratchet pawl in an equilibrium state when a parking brake lever is pulled up; and a second area in which the locking claw remains in a state of halfway engagement of tooth tips when a pressing force of a release rod is released. When the locking claw comes into contact with a portion closer to a tip of the locking tooth beyond the first area, a line of force is maintained due to the pressing force of the release rod. The system is configured such that even if an occupant erroneously pulls up the parking brake lever while the release rod is pressed, it is possible to reliably prevent halfway engagement of tooth tips in a ratchet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Otsuka Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Azumi, Naoto Shibui, Satoru Masuda
  • Patent number: 8380400
    Abstract: An HV-ECU performs a program including the steps of: determining whether or not the HV-ECU is in an auto-P execution state; determining whether or not a predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since an auto-P was requested; and permitting determination of the shifting operation if the HV-ECU is in the auto-P execution state and if it is determined that the predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since the auto-P was requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Kanai, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Ichiro Kitaori
  • Publication number: 20110239812
    Abstract: A locking arrangement for locking a brake part held under tension is provided. The locking arrangement includes a gearing having a plurality of adjoining gears, a catch which can be pivoted about a catch coupling and which has at least one engaging nose that is biased in the direction toward the gearing on one engagement end. Either the catch coupling or the gearing can be pivoted about a main axis relative to each other, and a parking brake equipped with the locking arrangement. A locking arrangement, or a parking brake enabling an improved locking is created in that an auxiliary nose is associated with the catch at a distance from the engaging nose, and that the auxiliary nose is disposed such that it may be brought into contact with the gearing in front of the engaging nose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Jose Manuel Gutierrez Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7963360
    Abstract: A ratchet apparatus includes a first member, a rack, and a second member that is selectively movable in first and second directions with respect to the first member. A first pawl is mounted with respect to the first member and is biased into engagement with the rack. The first pawl and the rack are configured such that engagement of the first pawl with the rack prevents movement of the first pawl relative to the rack in the first direction. A second pawl is mounted with respect to the second member for movement therewith in the first and second directions. The second pawl is biased into engagement with the rack. The second pawl and said rack are configured such that engagement of the second pawl with the rack prevents movement of the second pawl relative to the rack in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne, Kenneth A. Strom, Diann Brei, Brian M. Barnes, Jonathan E. Luntz
  • Publication number: 20110011678
    Abstract: Expandable load bearing device for use on a ladder and comprising an outer member (20), an inner member (21) movable within the outer member, and ratchet means having a pawl (26) attachable to the outer member and a rack (22) attachable to the inner member, the pawl being movable into and out of engagement with the rack to prevent the movement of the inner member towards the outer member, and the pawl having a shoulder (36d) arranged to bear upon a load transfer member (24) on the outer member when the pawl is in engagement with the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Lance Rodney Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20100242666
    Abstract: An anti-loosening device of parking brake has developed for providing a secure parking brake mode with the simplest structure comprising: a ratchet wheel having multiple teeth formed on an arc-shaped edge, an operating lever having an upper portion forming a tube-shaped handle, a lower portion forming a flat and narrow cavity, a latching mechanism consisting of a pawl, a slot formed sliding length Ls, which is same as sliding distance Lp of a rim cap, a rotating shaft, and an elastic spring, a lever operating mechanism consisting of an operating rod, coil spring, and push button. When the push button is depressed, the operating rod slides along the slot to push the elastic spring. Simultaneously, the elastic spring will develop a resilient force for exerting on the pawl, when the operating rod reaches the end of the slot. Then, the pawl rotates to disengage the arc-shaped teeth, when the operating lever slightly lifts-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Yeon-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7779723
    Abstract: An anti-loosening device for a parking brake is provided to securely park a vehicle comprising: a ratchet wheel (20) having multiple teeth (21) formed on an arc-shaped edge, a pivot hole (22) located at a center of the arc, an operating lever (40) having an upper portion forming a tube-shaped handle, a lower portion forming a flat and narrow cavity, a latching mechanism (60) consisting of a pawl (61), a slot (62), a rotating shaft (31), and an elastic spring (80), a lever operating mechanism consisting of an operating rod (70), a coil spring (71), and a push button (72), wherein the operating lever (40) is mounted on the ratchet wheel (20) for rotation with respect to the pivot shaft (30), one end of the operating rod (70) is mounted on the push button (72) with the coil spring (71) and the other end of the operating rod (70) is connected to the slot (62) of the latching mechanism (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Dongwoun Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeon-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7722006
    Abstract: A catch device of a lengthwise adjustment mechanism of a motor vehicle seat comprises a first pair of rails and a second pair of rails, each having a bottom rail and a seat rail. A first detent ledge is associated with the bottom rail and comprises first detent openings and first detent webs. A first stopper unit is disposed in proximity to the first detent ledge and cooperates therewith, comprises two stopper teeth for engaging the first detent openings independently of one another and for disengaging therefrom together and is associated with the seat rail of the first pair of rails. A second detent ledge is associated with the bottom rail of the second pair of rails and comprises second detent openings and second detent webs. A second stopper unit is disposed in proximity to the second detent ledge and cooperates therewith, comprises a stopper means for engaging and disengaging the second detent openings and is associated with the seat rail of the second pair of rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Beneker, Burkhard Becker
  • Patent number: 7658126
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing member connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing member without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Revelis, Michael Sykes, Dusit Sukonthapanich
  • Patent number: 7637178
    Abstract: A device for the actuation of vehicle brakes has a pull element which can be brought into a lockable braking position in order to pull at least a part of a vehicle brake, the pull element being capable of being tensioned by a tension element in this braking position, and which can be brought into a released position, in which the pull element is relaxed to an extent such that the at least a part of the vehicle brake is released, the device being provided with a retensioning device which, in the released position, automatically retensions the pull element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventors: Santiago Alberto Ortiz De Pinedo, Jaume Prat Terradas, Enrique Perez Navarro
  • Patent number: 7562603
    Abstract: A parking brake apparatus has a base, a ratchet plate fixed to the base, an operation lever includes a rotational base portion pivotally supported on the base; a pawl adapted to engage/disengage with the ratchet plate; an arc-shaped intermediate member comprises an arc-shaped relay rod; and a grip for controlling the engagement of the pawl. The arc-shaped relay rod is divided into at least two and is made to be interlocked with operations by the grip to transmit an engagement/disengagement operation with the ratchet plate to the pawl, the ratchet plate and the rotational base portion are provided inside a body side mounting portion, and the intermediate member is provided in such a manner as to appear from and disappear into a passage hole in the body side mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Otsuka Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masateru Momozu, Naoto Shibui, Hideto Nebuya, Satoru Masuda, Yukiyoshi Akutsu, Tomoya Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20090151508
    Abstract: A controlled-release fastening device including a toothed strap with pitched toothing, a base on which is mounted at least one main hook pivotal with respect to the base between a retaining position, in which the hook is selectively engaged between contiguous teeth of the toothing in order to hold the strap in one direction with respect to the base, and a release position, in which at least one hook is disengaged from the strap, allowing the sliding thereof relative to the base. A ratchet is mounted on the base for the gradual release of the strap by one or more teeth at a time. The ratchet including a first and a second hook mutually spaced by a non-integral multiple of the toothing pitch and capable of alternately engaging the toothing during controlled release of the strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SIDI SPORT S.R.L.
    Inventor: Dino Signori
  • Publication number: 20090007718
    Abstract: The pawl locking device of an adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat serves for adjusting two parts of said motor vehicle seat in one direction of adjustment. It has at least three stopper parts that are elastically biased independent of each other in a locking position by one stopper spring each. Said stopper parts each comprise one stopper tooth, one actuation end and one bearing hole. The longitudinal adjustment device further has a bearing shaft that extends in the direction of adjustment and through the bearing hole of said stopper parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: WILFRIED BENEKER, AXEL SPECK
  • Patent number: 7472624
    Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for a vehicle having a brake system is provided. The assembly includes a mounting bracket for mounting the brake actuating assembly to the vehicle, and a pedal arm mounted to the mounting bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The pedal arm is connectable to the brake system such that movement of the pedal arm in a brake applying direction activates the brake system and movement of the pedal arm in a brake releasing direction de-activates the brake system. An arcuate rack of teeth is connected to the pedal arm, and a pawl that includes a tooth engages the rack. The assembly also includes a spring that has a first end that operatively connected to the pawl, and the second end that is operatively connected to the mounting bracket in an opening that includes a surface extending between a first stop and a second stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Revelis, Michael Sykes, Jerry Zielinski, Dusit Sukonthapanich
  • Patent number: 7357051
    Abstract: A ratchet-type adjustment device for the ratcheting displacement of an adjustment body with respect to a fixed base element having an oblong actuating element, where the actuating element can be displaced along linear toothed portions, which are fitted to the adjustment body on either side of the actuating element, and latched into the first linear toothed portion, acting as driving toothed portion, by first ratchet elements, the adjustment device furthermore comprising at least two second ratchet elements mounted pivotably on the fixed base element, which ratchet elements can be latched into the second linear toothed portion, acting as blocking and braking toothed portion, to block a displacement movement of the adjustment body with respect to the fixed base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Holger Raum
  • Patent number: 7337694
    Abstract: A foot-operated parking brake device for vehicles is provided with a shock absorbing member 60 on which a predetermined portion, e.g., an engaging claw 32d, except for a pole abutting portion 32e of a pole 32 is brought into abutting when a pedal arm 20 is moved from an original position to an abutting position where the engaging claw 32d of the pole 32 is brought into abutting on ratchet teeth 31a. An abutting surface 61 of the shock absorbing member 60 is formed to bring a lock mechanism 30 into the first state at least before the pedal arm 20 reaches the abutting position and to form a space between the pole abutting portion 32e and a release lever abutting portion 33a until the lock mechanism 30 is brought into the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomiaki Ninomiya, Kenichi Kobayashi, Mitsunari Kawahata
  • Patent number: 7146873
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a cable pull of a vehicle parking brake includes an actuating lever rotatable about a first axis, a pull element and a locking element. The pull element includes a pull rod and a guide housing, wherein the pull rod includes notches and is spring-loaded in an actuating direction of the cable pull. The guide housing is pivotably mounted about a second axis disposed outside a line defined by the actuating direction. The locking element includes a latch part releasably engaging the notches of the pull rod, wherein the locking element is mounted pivotably with respect to the guide housing, wherein a force acting in the actuating direction of the cable pull creates a torque on the pull element about the second axis that is proportional to the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Edscha Betaetigungssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Braker, Josef Neudorfer
  • Patent number: 7069811
    Abstract: An actuation device of an adjustment unit for automotive vehicle seats has a hand lever and a frame. The frame carries the hand lever and accommodates an output shaft. The hand lever adopts a central position when the actuation device is in a position of rest, and may be pivoted alternatively in the two directions of rotation against the action of an elastic means biasing it in the central position. The hand lever has a first driving region. An adjustment wheel having circumferential gear teeth is centred on the output shaft. A pivotal lever has a long hole surrounding the output shaft, has a left engagement region and a right engagement region substantially extending as a continuation of the long hole. These regions are both provided with teeth matching the gear teeth of the adjustment wheel and being disengaged from the teeth of the adjustment wheel in the position of rest of the actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Ulrich Karthaus
  • Patent number: 7021174
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing spring connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing spring without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Revelis, Michael Sykes, Dusit Sukonthapanich
  • Patent number: 6976402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a parking brake lever that is operated by a hand. The parking brake lever has a supporting member fixed to a vehicle frame and which is provided with ratchet portion, and an oscillating member, which oscillates with respect to the supporting member between braking position and releasing position. A push button is provided in one end of the oscillating member. A pawl and a connecting member are operatively interposed between the push button and ratchet portion. The connecting member includes a flexible cable. According to the present invention, even if the push button is inadvertently pressed, the parking brake does not release unless the oscillating member is pulled upwardly. Thus, accident probability caused from inadvertent release of a parking brake is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kyung Chang Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 6973852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a parking brake lever of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Myung Shin, Moon-Hyuk Im, Jae-Cheon Lee, Tae-Ho Park, Kyung-Hee Cho, Byung-Hae Kim
  • Patent number: 6913121
    Abstract: An auxiliary system for an automobile parked on a slope that automatically releases the parking brake at an appropriate time when the automobile is restarted, thereby preventing the automobile from rolling backward or stalling, and enabling the driver to proceed smoothly and stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sung-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 6837127
    Abstract: A parking brake for a vehicle includes a lever holder including a housing that has a first flat side and a second flat side and a brake actuation lever pivotably arranged on the lever holder. The brake actuation lever is articulated to the first flat side and to the second flat side. The parking brake also includes a locking arrangement for holding the brake actuation lever in a locking position, a brake cable, and a deflection lever pivotably articulated to the first flat side and to the second flat side of the housing. The deflection lever is pivotably linked with the brake actuation lever. In addition, the parking brake includes a coupling unit disposed on the deflection lever for tensioning the brake cable during a displacement of the brake actuation lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: EDSCHA AG
    Inventor: Bernd Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6817264
    Abstract: A parking brake operating device for vehicle, wherein a vehicle is held by a specified braking force by manually rotating a brake lever (2), a held state is released by rotatingly operating the brake lever (2) upward by a specified amount from the held state, and the braking force can be changed to an increasing side and held by further raising the brake lever upward from the held state beyond the specified amount, whereby a release operation can be performed without using a push button or a push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Kuroishi Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hiura, Masanori Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20040221679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ratchet-type adjustment device for the ratcheting displacement of an adjustment body with respect to a fixed base element by means of an oblong actuating element, where the actuating element can be displaced along linear toothed portions, which are fitted to the adjustment body on either side of the actuating element, and latched into the first linear toothed portion, acting as driving toothed portion, by means of first ratchet elements, the adjustment device furthermore comprising at least two second ratchet elements mounted pivotably on the fixed base element, which ratchet elements can be latched into the second linear toothed portion, acting as blocking and braking toothed portion, to block a displacement movement of the adjustment body with respect to the fixed base element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Holger Raum
  • Patent number: 6736025
    Abstract: A vehicular foot-operated parking brake control apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a pedal arm that is rotatably mounted on the bracket. The bracket is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth and a pawl is rotatably mounted on the pedal arm for rotation between a first rotational position in which the pawl is engaged with the ratchet teeth and a second rotational position in which the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet teeth. The pawl is slidably mounted on the pedal arm to slide between a first slide position and a second slide position. The apparatus is designed to allow the parking brake to be engaged and disengaged by depressing the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunari Kanbe
  • Patent number: 6725740
    Abstract: A combined gear change and brake control unit for a bicycle is provided. The unit comprises a support body connected to a brake control lever pivoting around a first axis and a gear change control unit connected to the support body. This control unit comprises a gear change lever pivoting on a second axis, orthogonal with respect to the first axis, for shifting the gear. The gear change lever is arranged immediately behind the brake control lever and is free to oscillate in the same direction as the latter lever to prevent obstructing the brake control movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Campagnolo Srl
    Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Pra′
  • Patent number: 6705436
    Abstract: A vehicle has a park brake system, which has set a set operational state for holding the vehicle in a parked position, and a released operational state in which the vehicle may be driven. The park brake system includes a park brake actuator and connecting linkages which are driven by an operator of the vehicle in an engaging direction in order to effect the set operational state of the park brake system. The park brake system further includes a return spring engaged to the connecting linkages in such a manner to drive them and the park brake actuator in a disengaging direction and to ensure maintenance of the released operational state of the park brake system after it is effected by an operator. The park brake system also includes an impact-reduction energy absorber such as a spring, damper, or some combination thereof for absorbing some of the energy transferred to the connecting linkages when the return spring drives the connecting linkages and the park brake actuator in their disengaging directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Noll, Tom E. Harting, Gayle D. Goodrich, Trevor T. Downes
  • Patent number: 6662676
    Abstract: A self adjusting parking brake system which automatically removes slack from a parking brake cable includes a fixed support and a hand-operated lever pivotably connected to the support for movement between brake-releasing and brake-engaging positions. A locking mechanism releasably maintains the lever in the brake-engaging position. The locking mechanism includes a main ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and a main pawl having a pawl tooth engaging the plurality of ratchet teeth. A self-adjust mechanism connects the cable with the lever. The self-adjust mechanism includes an adjuster ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and an adjuster pawl having a plurality pawl teeth. Only one of the plurality of pawl teeth fully engages the ratchet teeth at any one time. The adjuster pawl pivots about a pivot axis and has an approach angle of greater than forty-five degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies
    Inventors: John Thomas Dittmar, Michael Slumba, James Sells
  • Publication number: 20030177856
    Abstract: In a parking brake for a motor vehicle, an operating lever is mounted pivotally on a console and an operating-lever locking pawl is mounted pivotally on the operating lever and has a second row of teeth which can be engaged in the first row of teeth for locking the parking brake. A cable-tensioning disc is rotatably mounted on a support arm which is pivotally supported on the console. An operating cable is fastened to the cable-tensioning disc such that it can be wound up by a cable-tensioning spring on the cable-tensioning disc, which is provided with a third row of teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Eckhard Reese, Thomas Ropke
  • Publication number: 20030167872
    Abstract: An actuation device of an adjustment unit for automotive vehicle seats has a hand lever and a frame. The frame carries the hand lever and accommodates an output shaft. The hand lever adopts a central position when the actuation device is in a position of rest, and may be pivoted alternatively in the two directions of rotation against the action of an elastic means biasing it in the central position. The hand lever has a first driving region. An adjustment wheel having circumferential gear teeth is centred on the output shaft. A pivotal lever has a long hole surrounding the output shaft, has a left engagement region and a right engagement region substantially extending as a continuation of the long hole. These regions are both provided with teeth matching the gear teeth of the adjustment wheel and being disengaged from the teeth of the adjustment wheel in the position of rest of the actuation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Ulrich Karthaus
  • Patent number: 6527095
    Abstract: A one-way transmission with a resetting function for use in ratchet mechanisms. The resetting spring for the actuating lever is arranged to also takes over the prestressing of the one-way transmission element. The integration of the following switch components is also possible; the shift lever and the one-way transmission element; the shift lever, the one-way transmission element and the resetting spring; the positioning device and the positioning pawls; of the positioning device and actuating button; the actuating button and the resetting element; and the positioning device, the actuating button and the resetting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Assel
  • Patent number: 6508341
    Abstract: A device provided with a pedal arm (2) having pawl teeth (12), a latch pawl member (4) having a latch pawl (15) engageable with the pawl teeth (12) for maintaining and releasing a stepped-on position of the pedal arm (2), and a position changing member (5) for allowing the latch pawl member (4) to maintain the position of the pedal arm (2) when the pedal arm is further stepped on from a maintained position. The above constitution realizes a function of setting a braking force by a stepping operation, a function of releasing a braking force by a stepping operation and a function of increasing a braking force by an additional stepping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kuroishi Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Hiura
  • Patent number: 6477915
    Abstract: A tension device for cables, in particular for the handbrake cable of automobile vehicles. It includes a simple mechanism with a cable finishing part (10) with a spherical end (5) that can become wedged between a disc (4) and a bowl (3) mounted on a bushing (7) on which the brake lever (9) also turns. This lever includes a ratchet (1) that travels along a toothed portion (12) of the disc (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Batz S. Coop
    Inventor: Rafael Etxebarrena Allende
  • Patent number: 6446527
    Abstract: A lever apparatus for operating a member comprises: a supporting member; a gear rotatably supported by the supporting member around a rotation shaft and connected to the member; a lever coaxially rotatable with the rotation shaft in a normal direction and in a reverse direction from a neutral position thereof within a predetermined angle; a return spring for returning the lever to the neutral position; a latch rotatably supported by the lever around a latch shaft and transmitting a rotation of the lever to the gear and providing a torque to the gear in the normal direction or in the reverse direction according to the direction of the lever; and an engaging shaft disposed between the latch and the supporting member. The engaging shaft engages the latch with the supporting member when the lever is rotated in the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Masuda, Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6431025
    Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for a surgical retractor blade having a dual ratchet holder. A pivot ratchet is mounted on the dual ratchet holder. A pawl key mounted on the dual ratchet holder. The pawl key is used to engage the teeth on the pivot ratchet. The mechanism also has a pivot thumb piece that is pivotally attached to the pawl key. The thumb piece is used to release the pawl key when it is activated. A rocker thumb piece is mounted on the dual ratchet holder. It is used to engage and disengage a tooth on the stem of a surgical retractor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Tibor Koros, Gabriel Koros
  • 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: 6363811
    Abstract: Apparatus for selectively applying tension to a parking brake cable that includes a pulley for coupling to the cable and having a cable groove that is non-circular about an axis of the pulley. A lever is coupled to the pulley for rotating the pulley in one direction about its axis, and thereby winding the cable into the groove to apply tension to the cable. A clutch is coupled to the pulley to prevent reverse rotation of the pulley, and a release mechanism is coupled to the clutch for releasing the clutch and thereby releasing tension in the cable. The non-circular groove has a maximum radius where the cable is wound into the groove upon initial operation of the lever, and a decreasing radius thereafter. In this way, force is applied to the parking brake cable at maximum rate of change upon initial actuation of the lever, increasing at a lower rate as the lever is further depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ficosa North American Corp.
    Inventor: Sergio Saldaña
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010037925
    Abstract: A step-by-step ratchet mechanism has a mount, a hand lever that is carried on the mount and is pivotal about an axis of the hand lever, and a ratchet that is provided with a toothed set wheel and with an output shaft that is rotatable about an axis of the ratchet in the mount. Two catches are provided, they a) are each hinged on the hand lever and are pivotal around an axis of the catch, b) are each provided with a gear cutting that cooperates with the set wheel, c) are provided with a supporting flank that neighbors an abutment of the mount and d) are provided with a first elastic means that resiliently pretensions the two supporting flanks towards the abutment. Each catch is further provided with e) a pin. The gear cutting is designed as a toothed quadrant with several teeth. Two mean position levers are carried on the mount and are each pivotal about an axis of the mean position levers, one mean position lever being assigned to each catch. The mean position levers are provided with a stop flank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Burokhard Becker, Robert Houston
  • Publication number: 20010027904
    Abstract: A lever apparatus for operating a member comprises: a supporting member; a gear rotatably supported by the supporting member around a rotation shaft and connected to the member; a lever coaxially rotatable with the rotation shaft in a normal direction and in a reverse direction from a neutral position thereof within a predetermined angle; a return spring for returning the lever to the neutral position; a latch rotatably supported by the lever around a latch shaft and transmitting a rotation of the lever to the gear and providing a torque to the gear in the normal direction or in the reverse direction according to the direction of the lever; and an engaging shaft disposed between the latch and the supporting member. The engaging shaft engages the latch with the supporting member when the lever is rotated in the predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Kou Masuda, Takeshi Nakamura
  • 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