Geared Connections Patents (Class 74/98)
  • Patent number: 11889645
    Abstract: A foldable electronic device includes a first casing, a second casing, a hinge structure and a foldable display. The hinge structure connects the first casing and the second casing, and includes a plurality of supporting blocks, a plurality of first hinge blocks and a plurality of second hinge blocks. The supporting blocks are arranged side by side between the first casing and the second casing. The first hinge blocks and the second hinge blocks are respectively arranged at two sides of the supporting blocks. One of the first hinge blocks connects two of the supporting blocks adjacent to each other. One of the second hinge blocks connects two of the supporting blocks adjacent to each other. The foldable display includes a first bonding portion secured to the first casing, a second bonding portion secured to the second casing and a foldable portion aligned to the hinge structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Hui-Ping Sun, Wei-Chih Wang, Chun-Hung Wen, Yu-Cheng Shih, Yen-Chou Chueh, Chi-Tai Ho, Kuan-Lin Chen, Chun-Hsien Chen, Chih-Heng Tsou
  • Patent number: 11696415
    Abstract: A hinge structure includes a main support including a sliding groove disposed therein; a limit support rotationally connected to the main support via a straight shaft disposed in the sliding groove, and a limit groove is disposed at one side of the limit support; a sub support connected to the limit support via a crank shaft, wherein the sub support is sleeved on the crank shaft, a crank sliding block is disposed at one end of the crank shaft and in the limit groove; and a shaft sleeve; wherein when the main support rotates relative to the sub support, the straight shaft slides in the sliding groove and the crank sliding block slides in the limit groove. A folding mechanism and a mobile terminal are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HuiZhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongqiu Xie, Yiju Chen
  • Patent number: 11413744
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are multi-turn drive assemblies, systems and methods of use thereof. The multi-turn drive assemblies enable a robot link member to have a maximum rotation of at least 360 degrees about an axis. The multi-turn drive assemblies can be incorporated into a robot arm for enabling 360 degrees rotation of one or more link members about an axis. The robot arm may be located in a transfer chamber of an electronic device processing system. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the multi-turn drive assemblies and related robots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Hudgens, Damon K. Cox, Rajkumar Thanu
  • Patent number: 11173339
    Abstract: Assemblies are for attaching a resistance mechanism to an exercise apparatus. In one example, the assembly has a pulley cable having a first end portion for being coupled to the resistance mechanism and a second end portion coupled to the exercise apparatus; and a plunger device facilitating coupling and uncoupling of the pulley cable to and from the exercise apparatus. The plunger device is movable into a first position in which the plunger device couples the pulley cable to the exercise apparatus and into a second position in which the plunger device uncouples the pulley cable from the exercise apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Life Fitness, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy L. Fink
  • Patent number: 10802551
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a plurality of linkage units, each including a base bar and two rotating assemblies pivotally connected with two carrying sections of the base bar. Each rotating assembly has a synchronous rotation bar, a friction plate and a torsion plate. The friction plate has a first major plate body and a friction increasing portion inclined outwardly from the major plate body. The rotating assemblies are turnable relative to the base bar between unfolded and folded positions. During the turning, the friction increasing portion is gradually overlapped upon and in frictional contact with the torsion plate so as to increase a friction force for providing a stable turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FOSITEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Han Lin, Way-Han Dai, Yu-Chieh Li, Seita Horikoshi
  • Patent number: 10383241
    Abstract: A capping member is provided. The capping member is adapted to a flexible display panel. The capping member includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, a plurality of holes located between the first side wall and the second side wall. The first side wall is configured to be coupled to a side of the flexible display panel. The first side wall and the second side wall are bendable with the side of the flexible display panel and a configuration of each of the plurality of holes are changeable during bending the first side wall and the second side wall. A housing assembly and an electronic device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yugui Lin
  • Patent number: 10356922
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a middle frame and a flexible display device. The middle frame comprises a first framework component, a second framework component and a flexible component comprising a first chain link element, a second chain link element, a third chain link element, a fourth chain link element, a flexible element and a plurality of rotors. Under collaboration of the plurality of the rotors, the third chain link element is connected to the first framework component and the third chain link element, the third chain link element is connected to the flexible component, the second chain link element is connected to the second framework component and the fourth chain link element, and the fourth chain link element is connected to the flexible component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 10162389
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include multiple interconnected friction engines that secure the first portion and the second portion. An individual friction engine can define an axis of rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion. The example can also include sequencing elements that control a relative order of rotation of the multiple interconnected friction engines and overlapping hinge covers that protect the multiple interconnected friction engines and stabilize the timing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Errol Mark Tazbaz, Brian Bitz
  • Patent number: 9746057
    Abstract: A drive mechanism to move an optical component sensitive to particles is described. The drive mechanism has high precision in rotation, great reliability and durability life, no backlash, and far less particle contamination. The drive mechanism can be advantageously used in high precision rotation driving processes for opto-mechanical inspection systems that require high movement precision and no-contamination. In one embodiment, two pulleys are used with their axes to be parallel from each other, two bands are used to rotate the pulleys in opposite directions. An eccentric disk mechanism is used to fine-tune the distance between the two pulleys so that tensions on the two bands can be optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Dongfang Jingyuan Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuhai Mu, Zongqiang Yu
  • Patent number: 9142208
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the present invention includes: an ultrasonic transducer body transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a swing shaft (4) attached integrally to the ultrasonic transducer body; a swing shaft pulley (5) provided on the swing shaft; a motor having an output shaft (7); an output shaft pulley (8) provided on the output shaft; a belt (9) wound around the swing shaft pulley and the output shaft pulley; a plurality of belt fixing screws (11, 12) fixing the belt to the swing shaft pulley and the output shaft pulley. The belt is divided into two regions at the belt fixing screws so as to allow the regions to have different natural frequencies. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a highly reliable ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment using the ultrasonic probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sato, Eiichi Ookawa
  • Patent number: 9080460
    Abstract: A spray cleaning device for cleaning an auxiliary power unit (APU) within an aircraft comprises one or more spray nozzles, a water tube for supplying water to the nozzles, and positioning means. A system for cleaning APUs comprises a spray cleaning device and a supply system for providing pressurized and temperature controlled washing fluid to the cleaning device. A method for cleaning APUs comprises providing a spray cleaning device, attaching the cleaning device to an air inlet structure of an aircraft, and supplying washing fluid to the cleaning device at a desired spray pressure, spray temperature, and spray droplet size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Henrik Amcoff, Sebastian Nordlund
  • Publication number: 20150128734
    Abstract: An involute, non-ring, continuous teeth, spherical gear transmission mechanism includes a female and a male spherical gear to form a three degree-of-freedoms deputy campaign. And its design regularity is the same as that of common one degree-of-freedom gear, which is involute tooth profile for continuous engagement, therefore such spherical gears have the same transmission features as common one degree-of-freedom gear, like fixed transmission ratio and efficiency. This invention (utility) of involute non-ring continuous teeth spherical gear transmission mechanism solve problems that distributed-teeth spherical gear cannot provide accurate fixed ratio transmission and that spherical involute gear can only provide 2 degree of freedoms. It provides a better condition of spherical gear mechanism for wide use in practical engineering applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: HANLIN HONG
  • Publication number: 20150040704
    Abstract: A synchronous movement device applied to dual-shaft system includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The synchronous movement device further includes a driver disposed on the first shaft and a reactor disposed on the second shaft and a link unit connected between the driver and the reactor. When the first shaft drives the driver to rotate, the driver pushes the link unit to move along the first and second shafts to forcedly push the reactor to rotate in a direction reverse to the moving direction of the driver. Accordingly, the first and second shafts are synchronously rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: AN SZU HSU
  • Publication number: 20140360296
    Abstract: A biaxial pivoting mechanism for rotating a first casing relative to a second casing is disclosed in the present disclosure. The biaxial pivoting mechanism includes at least one fixing component, a first shaft, a first main gear, a second shaft, a second main gear and a transmission gear set. The fixing component includes a first area and a second area. The first shaft and the second shaft are disposed on the first area and the second area and further connected to the first casing and the second casing respectively. The first main gear and the second main gear are respectively disposed on the first shaft and the second shaft. The transmission gear set is engaged with the first main gear and the second main gear. As the first main gear rotates at a first direction, the second main gear synchronously rotates at a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Chi Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140298935
    Abstract: A pivot structure includes a gear mechanism, a first pivot assembly including a first stand, and a second pivot assembly including a second stand. The gear mechanism includes a first gear having a tooth portion, transmitting gears, and an end gear. The first gear, the transmitting gears, and the end gear are engaged in sequence. The second stand is rotated between a closed angle and an opening angle relative to the first stand by the gear mechanism. The tooth portion drives the transmitting gears to rotate the end gear when the second stand is rotated between a first middle angle and a second middle angle relative to the first stand, and the tooth portion is departed from the first transmitting gear when the second stand is rotated between the closed angle and the first middle angle relative to the first stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Yi-Chang YEH, Tzu-Yu LIN
  • Publication number: 20140260735
    Abstract: A counterbalance system and lifting system for assisting a user. The system includes one or more arms, such as lift arms, that by user input from a user may be operated to raise and lower a load carried by a tray. The system further includes a counterbalance mechanism connected to the one or more arms configured to assist raising and lowering the loaded tray. The counterbalance mechanism may be configured to adjust to a force provided by the counterbalance system in response to the load changing. The system further includes a release for engaging the counterbalance mechanism to assist the user in raising or lowering the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan Roberts, Clark Davis, Ian Davis, Brian D. Owens
  • Publication number: 20140260736
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a door linkage system including a drive side and a driven side. The drive side includes a drive gear and a drive arm. The driven side includes a driven gear configured to mesh with the drive gear and a guide plate in cooperation with the drive arm. The drive side moves the driven side between an open position and a closed position. Proximate to the open and the closed positions, the drive arm moves the driven side. Between the open and the closed positions, the drive gear moves the driven side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, Aaron Compton
  • Publication number: 20140174226
    Abstract: A multi-segment rotary shaft structure includes a driving joint assembly and a driven joint assembly. The driving joint assembly at least includes two opposite joint plates and a middle link plate assembly engaged therebetween. The driven joint assembly is disposed between the opposite joint plates and includes at least two driven plates. Opposite ends of the driven plates are formed with synchronous driving sections drivingly engaged with each other. Inward ends of the opposite joint plates are linked with outward ends of the driven plates. Outward ends of the middle link plate assembly are linked with the inward ends of the driven plates. The driving joint assembly and driven joint assembly are stringed and pivotally connected and combined, whereby the joint plates can be freely rotated around multiple rotational centers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: FIRST DOME CORPORATION
    Inventors: AN SZU HSU, WAY HAN DAI
  • Publication number: 20140174227
    Abstract: A synchronous folding device includes two opposing folding members and a multi-joint rotary axle structure mounted between the two folding members. The multi-joint rotary axle structure has two ends which can be folded or unfolded synchronously. The multi-joint rotary axle structure includes a driving joint assembly and a driven joint assembly. The driving joint assembly includes two opposing joint plates and a middle link plate. Two ends of the driving joint assembly are respectively connected to the two opposing folding members. Each joint plate of the driving joint assembly can be turned free through plural turning centers so that both ends can be closed or opened synchronously for the folding device to be folded or unfolded accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: FIRST DOME CORPORATION
    Inventors: AN SZU HSU, WAY HAN DAI
  • Publication number: 20130174680
    Abstract: Implementations and techniques are generally disclosed for an actuator comprising: a first element, a second element, a third element, a first joint provided between the first element and the second element, a second joint provided between the second element and the third element, and a motor operably coupled to the first joint and configured such that the second element rotates with respect to the first element about a first rotational axis when the motor rotates, wherein the first joint is operably coupled to the second joint and configured such that the third element can rotate with respect to the second element about a second rotational axis when the motor rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Masaaki Mihara
  • Patent number: 8348124
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector and a drive assembly. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The drive assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector and includes an input portion, an output portion and a gear system disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Paul Scirica
  • Publication number: 20120132020
    Abstract: A steering device for a wheeled vehicle having wheels includes a steering element for steering actuation with a predetermined movement path and a predetermined degree of actuation, a conversion device for converting the steering actuation to an output signal for transmission to a steering drive for steering the wheels, a connection device operatively connecting the steering element with the conversion device for transmitting the steering actuation to the conversion device, and limiting means configured to either selectively release the degree of actuation to a first maximum degree of actuation or limit the degree of actuation to a second maximum degree of actuation which is reduced compared to the first maximum degree of actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Peter Kunsch, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 7009627
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel having display devices arranged in a matrix layout and driven through a plurality of row wirings and column wirings, a scanning unit to scan the row wirings, and a modulation unit to supply a modulation signal to the column wirings. A compensation unit applies compensation processing to compensate for fluctuation of display luminance due to the influence of voltage drop caused by a resistance of the row wiring to the image data, and a luminance control unit controls display luminance of the display panel based upon luminance information of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Abe, Kohei Inamura, Osamu Sagano, Hiroshi Saito, Takeshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6684743
    Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a drive gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the drive gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the drive gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the drive gear 110 is in reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Richard Hunter Harris
  • Patent number: 6557205
    Abstract: A wiper apparatus suitable to wipe the window pane of laterally elongated type, which is provide with a reversible wiper motor 2; a reciprocally rotating output shaft 2a; a circular shaped rotary housing 3 fixed to the output shaft; a stationary gear 4 disposed coaxially around about the output; an idler gear 5 meshed with the stationary gear and supported rotatably on the rotary housing; an output gear 6 meshed with the idler gear and supported rotatably on the rotary housing; and a pivot shaft 20 fixed to the output gear and connected with a wiper member 7, 8; the gears 4, 5 and 6 are housed in the rotary housing 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Jidosha Denki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6336373
    Abstract: A drivig rotary shaft and a follower rotary shaft are rotatably carried in a housing of a rotary solenoid. Operating members fixed to the rotary shafts by clips are operatively connected to each other by gears, and a locked member is locked non-movably by locking surfaces formed at tip ends of the operating members. This makes it unnecessary to provide a device for converting a rectilinear motion to a rotational motion such as a pin and an elongated bore in a path of transmission of a driving force from the rotary solenoid to the operating members. Therefore, not only the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are reduced, but also the number of slide areas, where a friction resistance and looseness are liable to be produced, is reduced, thereby enabling a noiseless smooth operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Murai, Shigeto Ryuen
  • Patent number: 6186018
    Abstract: A binocular includes first and second swingable bodies respectively accommodating telescope systems. The binocular further includes two drive rings respectively provided to the swingable bodies and an operation knob. A transmission unit is provided to transmit the rotation of the operation knob to the drive rings. The transmission unit includes two pairs of a first gear and a second gear. The first gear and the second gear engage with the other so that a contact point of pitch circles thereof is located on each of the swing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6182550
    Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a drive gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the drive gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the drive gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the drive gear 110 is in reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Richard Hunter Harris
  • Patent number: 6163992
    Abstract: A motion toy includes a frame structure covered with a decorated shell and a power drive controlled to move parts of the frame structure. The frame structure has two vertical upper side boards and two vertical lower side boards hinged together, a horizontal shoulder board coupled between the vertical side boards at the top, a horizontal upper link coupled between the vertical upper side boards and the vertical lower side boards, and a horizontal bottom link coupled between the vertical lower side boards at the bottom side. This bottom link is reciprocated by the power drive. Each vertical upper side boards has a respective sector gear respectively meshed with a respective sector gear on the vertical lower side boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Blue Ridge Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Long Chou
  • Patent number: 6095007
    Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a fixed gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the fixed gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the fixed gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the fixed gear 110 is in reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Richard Hunter Harris
  • Patent number: 5987704
    Abstract: An improved hinge mechanism for use with a portable computing device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first gear and a first deformable braking mechanism that is coupled to the first gear. The first deformable braking mechanism is substantially axially aligned with the first gear along a first axis. The hinge mechanism also includes a second gear that engages the first gear during rotation of the first gear, as well as a second braking mechanism. The second braking mechanism is arranged to be substantially axially aligned with the second gear along a second axis. The second braking mechanism contacts the first deformable braking mechanism to cause the first deformable braking mechanism to deform during rotation of the first gear. Finally, the hinge mechanism includes a linking mechanism that allows a constant distance to be maintained between the first axis and the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Tang
  • Patent number: 5931244
    Abstract: A steering system in an all-terrain four-wheeled vehicle with independent suspension wherein necessary forces for steering control are supplied by cable and pulley actuators with the cable running parallel to the suspension arm between vehicle frame and wheel, steering control by the driver being by manipulation of right and/or left steering levers eliminating the need of steering wheel and steering column in front of the driver. The steering actuators are independent and there is no linkage for coordinating their turning angles; rather, close coordination of the wheel turning angles for achieving the turning angle relation between the wheels is by a non-linear linkage whereby the actuators are provided with separate displacement motions with the non-linear relation to achieve the desired relation between the steering angles of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Trustee of University of Arkansas
    Inventors: David A. Renfroe, Joseph F. Partain
  • Patent number: 5918849
    Abstract: A base forms a receptacle for insertion of a tree trunk therein. A ring assembly is connected to a mouth of the base. A plurality of grabbing arms each have a pivoting end connected to the ring assembly and a free end. The grabbing arms are configured to pivot in such a manner as to move the free ends inward and outward. An elongated gripping member is connected to each of the grabbing arms at the free end. The gripping member is oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the grabbing arm. A lever arm includes a pivotal connection to the ring assembly. A locking arm is rotatably connected to the pivotal connection. The lever arm is configured to cause the grabbing arms to pivot when the lever arm is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Jon P. Bliss
  • Patent number: 5776033
    Abstract: A removable chin-up bar arrangement includes spaced body members situated at opposite ends of a chin-up bar extending therebetween, the bar being rotatable with respect to the body members. Opposed pincher members are swingably attached to each of the body members and are adapted to extend about and hang the body members and the chin-up bar from and overhead support, such as the framing extending about an interior doorway. A gear tooth lock mechanism extending between the ends of the chin-up bar and each of the pincher members, the lock mechanism moving the pincher members in unison toward each other and causing the chin-up bar to rotate in a first direction and upon rotation of the bar in the opposite direction causes the pincher members to open from each other, permitting removal of the chin-up bar arrangement from the doorway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: William R. Brown
  • Patent number: 5721669
    Abstract: A gear-driven docking apparatus for removable mass-storage drives comprises a guide rail, mounted inside a computer chassis, and a drive carrier, bearing a mass-storage drive. The drive carrier includes an alignment groove for slidingly receiving the guide rail and a gear train for engaging a rack profile formed at the proximal end of the guide rail, The rack profile and the gear train incorporate a mechanism that provides gear-and-rack synchronization under all operating conditions. Data and power connectors of the mass-storage drive are terminated to a printed circuit board that is movably attached to the drive carrier. The circuit board merges the separate power and data connectors into a single docking connector having registration pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Sung H. Kim
  • Patent number: 5590851
    Abstract: In an overhead luggage bin for the passenger cabin of an aircraft, the bin has an opening with at least two hinged doors being provided at the bin opening. The bin includes at least one telescopically extensible spring strut device. In such a device a spring is resiliently loaded as the strut telescopically contracts. The spring strut device operates on two of the doors simultaneously through the medium of a differential mechanism. The thrust of the spring strut device tends to open the two doors simultaneously and the differential mechanism permits the two doors to be opened and closed, one relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Bridport-Gundry PLC
    Inventor: David Ackerman
  • Patent number: 5558487
    Abstract: In an article transporting system, a first linear moving arm and a second linear moving arm are juxtaposed to each other so as to be moved linearly while keeping a parallel positional relationship with each other. First end portions of the linear moving arms are coupled to an article transporting unit through first and second links. A linear drive mechanism is provided for linearly moving the article transporting unit in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the linear moving arms by the linear movement of the first and second linear moving arms. The first and second linear moving arms are synchronously linearly moved in opposite directions to each other. In this case, to avoid an unstable posture of the article transporting unit during the movement, a posture maintaining device is provided between one of the first and second linear moving arms and the article transporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5517205
    Abstract: An antenna pointing device for use in a satellite tracking system, including a satellite tracking system mounted on a moving body. The tracking system has at least one sensor that generates a signal indicating the orientation of the moving body relative to the satellite. The pointing device includes a base mounted on the moving body, an antenna pointing arm carrying the antenna and a universal joint supported by the base. The pointing arm is rotatably mounted within the universal joint for rotation about first and second control axes, the universal joint being constructed and arranged to enable rotation of the pointing arm through greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees about each of the first and second control axes while suffering no singularities of control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: KVH Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. K. van Heyningen, John M. Evans, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5504961
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle section having a motor drive and a drive shaft coupled to the motor drive by a translating device, and a brush section having bristle assembly and a transmission shaft unit coupled to the drive shaft and driven by it to turn the bristle assembly back and forth alternatively, the transmission shaft unit consisting of a driving member, a connecting member, a driven member, and a compression spring, wherein the transmission shaft unit disengages from the drive shaft upon an overpressure to prevent damage to the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: C. S. Yang
  • Patent number: 5461325
    Abstract: An assembly suitable for use as an overclamp assembly is provided. The assembly includes a base having a shaft inserted therethrough. The shaft rotates about an axis relative to the base. A center block is pivotably coupled to the shaft for arcuate movement about the axis and relative to the base. A longitudinal drive assembly is inserted into the center block and coupled to the shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes the longitudinal drive assembly to traverse a longitudinal path and an arcuate path about the axis. The longitudinal drive assembly includes a holder which is suitable for attachment to a probe arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Marketech, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Duggan
  • Patent number: 5444880
    Abstract: A manual CPR release for a hospital bed mechanically releases the head section from the head drive motor to quickly lower the head section to a flat position. When the head section reaches its lower limit, a switch is actuated which produces a command signal initiating the operation of both the head and knee drive motors. The knee drive motor lowers the thigh and foot sections to their flat positions and brings them into a coplanar position with the head section. Operating the head drive motor moves the head drive nut back into mechanical engagement with the head section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, John R. Wilker, Jr., David A. Albersmeyer, Peter M. Wukusick, Kenneth L. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5417126
    Abstract: A selector lever arrangement for an automatic transmission, comprising a lever (10) in a housing (2) pivotable about a horizontal transverse axle (9), wherein the housing (2) is dome-shaped with side walls (4 to 6) and is covered by a member (14) and a cover (20) with a gate, and wherein lever (10) has a hand grip (11) with a control knob (12), a catch device (19) operated by the control knob (12) by which the lever (10) is pivotably mounted on axle (9), the mounting member (13) being connected to a Bowden cable linkage (27) which transmits movements to the shift input element of the automatic gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Guido DeCrouppe, Graeme Turner
  • Patent number: 5277076
    Abstract: Pivotal platform apparatus (10) includes a frame member (12), a platform member (14) being pivotally attached to the frame member and having a first rotational inertia, and a reaction member (20) being pivotally attached to the frame member and having a second rotational inertia. A pair of crossed taut elements (40a and 40b) provide means for transmitting reverse rotation pivotal movement between the platform member and the reaction member so that the inertia of the reaction member balances the reaction of the platform member to provide a reactionless scan mechanism. A pair of motors (26a and 26b), each having pole pieces (30a and 30b) attached to the reaction member, and each having motor coils (28a and 28b) attached to the frame member, provide means for rotationally positioning the reaction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Miroslaw Ostaszewski
  • Patent number: 5259262
    Abstract: A non-involute gear used in a gear pair. A first gear has a plurality of radially extending, circumferentially spaced teeth, each with a generally cylindrical, arcuate shaped end surface. A second gear has a plurality of spaced, non-involute shaped teeth. Each tooth of the second gear is formed with opposed base faces disposed at an identical radius. A pair of flats extend in parallel from the ends of each circular base face and terminate in inwardly extending, end portions extending from the flats to the top land of each gear tooth. A tooth space is formed between two adjacent non-involute gear teeth having a semi-circular base portion formed by the opposed circular base faces of two adjacent gear teeth and two parallel flat portions formed by the pair of parallel flats extending from the semi-circular base portion which combine to form a generally U-shaped space for receiving a gear tooth on the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. DuRocher, Ellsworth S. Miller
  • Patent number: 5218876
    Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, has a three element pantographic linkage including a rigid control arm of which an intermediate point is constrained to move along a horizontal path. One end of the arm is pivotally mounted to an arm carrying the tiltable head, while the other end is pivotally mounted to a locating arm whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure. The relative angular position of the two arms is controlled by two parallelogram linkages with different degrees of fold and having the central arm in common, whereby one of the two linkages is always laterally spaced from the arm. Alternatively the two arms may be secured to respective sprockets pivoted to the arm and connected together by a chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Vinten Group PLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 5201234
    Abstract: A support for holding and adjusting the vertical position of medical apparatus comprises a bearing housing (10), a pivot arm (11) which is preferably vertically pivotally hinged on the bearing housing (10) and is formed to carry an electromedical apparatus, and a motor (12) for the vertical pivoting of the pivot arm (11) which is arranged on the bearing housing (10), wherein a force transmitting device (13, 14, 15, 25) is provided between the motor (12) and the pivot arm (11) which converts the rotary movement of the motor (10) into a pivotal movement of the pivot arm (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Delma elektro-und medizinische Geraetebau Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Kurt Gull
  • Patent number: 5180276
    Abstract: An articulated arm transfer device employs a rhomboidal link structure defined by two separated pairs of forearms pivotally joined at the elbows and at the wrists. Each wrist supports a holding structure and the elbows are driven in mirror-image semicircular paths by a pair of upper arms which are superimmposed alternately under each pair of forearms as the upper arms are rotated about mutually adjacent shoulder joints. The motion is such that at any time one holding structure is moving rapidly between an extended position and a park position while the other holidng structure is slowly traveling a negligible distance between a park position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Ruth A. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 5172542
    Abstract: In a spinning machine for pneumatic false-twist spinning, a plurality of spinning points are provided which are each equipped with one drafting unit. Two air nozzles are connected behind a pair of delivery rollers of the drafting unit and are pivotable around a separate swivel shaft and are connected by a restricted guidance in such a manner that, by an actuating movement, they can be moved into servicing positions which deviate from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignees: Fritz Stahlecker, Hans Stahlecker
    Inventors: Fritz Stahlecker, Josef Scholz
  • Patent number: 5150627
    Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, includes a pantographic-type linkage. The angular position of an arm (24) supporting the mounting head (26) is controlled relative to a locating arm (12), whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure (16) by three meshing gears, of which one (10) is connected to the locating arm (12) and another gear (20) is connected to the arm (24). The gears are rotatably mounted on a rigid arm (22) of the linkage of which an intermediate point (28) is constrained to move along a horizontal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Vinten Group PLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 5147175
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transfer device includes a rotary member, a driving member which rotates coaxially with the rotary member, a driven member which is driven by the driving member and a frog leg linkage having a first link with an end fixed to the driving member, a second link with an end fixed to the driven member, a third link having an end pivotally joined to another end of the first link, and a fourth link having an end pivotally joined to the other end of the second link. A wafer support plate is supported on the other ends of the third and fourth links. An auxiliary escape mechanism is provided for moving the frog leg linkage out of its dead point. The mechanism includes a first pulley coaxillary fixed to the rotary member with the driving member, a second pulley rotatably supported on a pivot shaft pivotally joining the first and the third links, and a belt wound around the first and second pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Keishi Tada