Patents Represented by Law Firm J & A
  • Patent number: 7396311
    Abstract: An infinitely variable speed ratio planetary ball transmission comprising planetary members in rolling contact with moveable inner and outer races and a constant speed accessory drive system utilizing the transmission. The transmission is infinitely variable between ratios of approximately 0.3 and 1.0. A transmission input shaft is connected to a prime mover such as a vehicle engine crankshaft by a drive belt. The transmission comprises at least one output shaft that is coaxial with the input shaft. An output pulley is attached to the output shaft. A belt is engaged between the output pulley and various engine accessories. A second end of the transmission output shaft may be directly coupled to an engine accessory mounted on the transmission. An included control system senses a crankshaft speed. A processor analyses the crankshaft speed and accordingly adjusts the transmission ratio using a stepper motor connected to a worm drive to maintain a constant output speed regardless of crankshaft speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Imtiaz Ali, Alexander Serkh
  • Patent number: 7335121
    Abstract: A belt installation tool having a body and an angular member projecting from the body for engaging a pulley belt bearing surface. A surface disposed substantially normal to the angular member comprises a chamfered lip for engaging a pulley web feature. The lip and angular member removeably attach the tool to a pulley by flexure of the angular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation IP Law Dept.
    Inventors: Barry Fletcher, Cornel Ureche
  • Patent number: 7320262
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a toothed portion, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a spring disposed between the base and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm in a first direction, a mechanism disposed on the pivot arm and engaged with the base, the mechanism comprising a rotatable geared member and a second spring engaged between the geared member and the pivot arm, the second spring biasing the pivot arm in the first direction, and the geared member having a non-toothed portion that when the non-toothed portion is engaged with the toothed portion it prevents substantial rotation of the pivot arm in a reverse direction from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Juergen Hallen
  • Patent number: 7316628
    Abstract: A two speed transmission comprising a planetary gear train comprising an input member connected to an input carrier, the input carrier connected to an input shaft, a sun gear and a ring gear, the input carrier comprising a plurality of planetary members each in meshing engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear, the sun gear connected to a brake member, the ring gear connected to an output member, and a one-way clutch operably disposed between the input shaft and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation IP Law Dept.
    Inventor: Alexander Serkh
  • Patent number: 7263792
    Abstract: A long-range house number identification panel has its number indicia mounted on an illuminated viewing screen, being individually readable with the naked eye from up to 200 feet distance. An electrically energizable phosphorescent screen behind the indicia serves to illuminate the numbers at night. The identifying indicia may consist of transparencies through the surface of a blanking screen. A photocell switches off the screen in daylight; and the level of screen illumination may be limited below the optimum, by operating at a reduced voltage so as to extend the service life of the screen. A u/v barrier coat may be used to protect the phosphor of the screen against solar degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Darrel Robert Slowski
  • Patent number: 7252471
    Abstract: A swivel nut comprising a body (10) having a threaded bore (130), the body comprising a ridge (11) which circumferentially extends about an outer surface, the body further comprising a first surface (12) which extends normal to a body bore centerline (CL), a tapered member (20) having a tapered surface (22) and a bore (23), the tapered member further comprising a second surface (23) which extends normal to the body bore centerline and which second surface cooperatively engages the first surface, the tapered member comprising a groove (21) which extends about an inner surface, and the groove cooperating with the ridge to connect the body and the tapered member while allowing the tapered member rotational movement with respect to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Dexter Axel Company
    Inventors: Lionel Istvan Manyoky, Charles M. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7235028
    Abstract: A belt having a body, a tensile member and an outer surface. The body comprises an elastomer. An outer surface of the belt having a profile, foe example teeth. A layer of Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene thermoplastic (UHMWPE) is bonded to the profile surface. The layer bonded to the profile surface having a low softening point allowing it to conform to a mold shape prior to cure of the rubber body material. The layer having a molecular weight in the range of 3-7 million grams per mole. The layer causes the belt to exhibit superior abrasion resistance and flexibility while reducing the cost per belt as compared to fabric jacket belts. The UHMWPE jacket belt has significantly reduced dust and debris production during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Dieter Martin, Harry D. Visser, Paul N. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7217206
    Abstract: An automatic tensioner having a load cell for detecting and controlling a power transmission belt tension. The tensioner comprises a lead screw driven by an electric motor for setting a lever arm/pulley position and thereby a belt load. The tensioner also comprises a load cell engaged with a tensioner lead screw for detecting a belt load. The tensioner motor is controlled loop using a load cell signal. The controller compares a detected belt load from the load cell with a predetermined belt load value to identify a desired belt load and thereby set a tensioner lever arm position corresponding to said desired belt load. The tensioner may also be controlled by an engine operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Stone, Brian Knight, Daniele Zecchetti
  • Patent number: 7217207
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a toothed portion, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a spring disposed between the base and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm in a first direction, a mechanism disposed on the pivot arm and engaged with the base, the mechanism comprising a rotatable geared member and a second spring engaged between the geared member and the pivot arm, the second spring biasing the pivot arm in the first direction, and the geared member having a non-toothed portion that when the non-toothed portion is engaged with the toothed portion it prevents substantial rotation of the pivot arm in a reverse direction from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Juergen Hallen
  • Patent number: 7211015
    Abstract: A belt installation tool having a first member (18) engagable with a pulley hub whereby a belt installation radial load is transmitted to the pulley hub. A body (10) having a tool engagement portion (15) disposed radially from the pulley hub. A second member (11) radially extending from the body opposite the first member, the second member having a lateral urging surface (12) for laterally urging a belt into a pulley groove. A roller (17) having a conical surface (17A) extending normally from the body at a radius substantially equal to or less than a pulley flange radius and in a direction opposite a pulley, the roller cooperatively disposed with the lateral urging surface whereby a belt is borne from the roller to the lateral urging surface during belt installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: John Shaw
  • Patent number: 7204359
    Abstract: A support for supporting the end of a shaft protruding from a conveyor roller for dampening the vibrations of the conveyor roller by providing a flexible connection between spaced first and second supports where the supports include structure for resisting the separation of the rubber. A method of dampening the transmission vibrations of a conveyor roller assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Van der Graaf Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Kanaris
  • Patent number: 7188909
    Abstract: A plurality of levers each having one end adapted for attachment below a chair seat for controlling separate movements of a chair, each said lever having another end presenting a substantially planar surface terminating at a periphery, said periphery defining a geometric shape different from one another so as to tactually distinguish said levers and the associated movements of said chair controlled by said levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Terry Cassaday
  • Patent number: 7157914
    Abstract: An airborne time domain electromagnetic surveying system is provided. The system includes a tow assembly with a flexible support frame. The flexible support frame spaced apart from the aircraft includes a transmitter section with a transmitter loop and a receiver section with a sensor aligned with the central axis of the transmitter section. The flexible support frame has a lightweight modular structure that enables the surface area of the transmitter section to be increased and decreased to suit particular survey applications. The transmitter loop sends a pulse in an “ON” interval, and in an “OFF” interval the sensor measures the earth response to the pulse. The tow assembly also includes a sensor for generating selected survey data in the “ON” interval. A transmitter driver enables the creation of earthbound pulse. The system components are linked to a computer and control computer program linked thereto for controlling the functions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Edward Beverly Morrison, Petr Valentinovich Kuzmin, Pavel Tishin
  • Patent number: 7134661
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus, gaming kit and gaming method is provided, which involves throwing projectiles to hang off of, or wrap around, one or more support members of a target structure. A projectile is also provided, which includes two weights at either end of a rope member. The rules of play define points that awarded for throwing one or more projectiles to hang off of, or wrap around, one or more particular support members, or particular portions of such one or more particular support members. A self-supporting target structure is provided, as well as a target structure that can be mounted on a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Trecartin
  • Patent number: D533052
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Yahya Hodjat, Marc R. Cadarette, Lin Zhu
  • Patent number: D544894
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Jack Clarke
  • Patent number: D545333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Jack Clarke
  • Patent number: D546252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Dexter Axle Company
    Inventor: Duane J. Belisle
  • Patent number: D549258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Lin Zhu, Yahya Hodjat, Marc R. Cadarette, Jason David Hatfield
  • Patent number: D551943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Yahya Hodjat, Marc R. Cadarette, Lin Zhu, Shoukath M. Ali