Patents Assigned to FICO
  • Publication number: 20050168855
    Abstract: It comprises a swivel pin (1) coaxially inserted through a holed element connected to the frame of said mirror, said swivel pin having at a first end (1a) a flange (4) and at a second end (1b) at least a retaining configuration (3) adapted for being fixed on a corresponding retaining configuration of a base connected to a vehicle, an elastic member being arranged between said flange (4) and a support of said holed element. Said elastic member comprises a hollow cylinder (5) of moulded plastic material arranged as a skirt, from the peripheral edge (4) towards said second end (1b) of the swivel pin (1), coaxially to it, said hollow cylinder (5) being provided with at least one opening (6) defining at least one helical strip (7) suitable to provide the hollow cylinder (5) with an elastic property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Fanelli, Cristophe Valade
  • Publication number: 20050160866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting element 1 for a bowden cable 50, particularly for the automotive engineering, comprising a mounting body 10 with a at least partially circumferential mounting slot 13, wherein the mounting slot 13 can be brought into engagement with an essentially U-shaped seat 3 within a support structure by sliding; a latching element 20, for latching the mounting body 10 with the support structure 2, wherein the latching element 20 comprises a displaceable latch 30, a spring 25 and a latching housing 21, which is open at opposed sides; wherein the latch 30 comprises a snap element 35, so that the latch 30 is latchable with the latching housing 21 by insertion of the latch 30 into the latching housing 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: FICO TRIAD S.A.
    Inventor: Juan-Manuel Dona-Contero
  • Patent number: 6899439
    Abstract: The regulating mechanism comprises a base member (2), which can be coupled to the mounting (1), and a cover (3), in which a mirror mounting plate (31), provided with a mirror glass (35), is assembled. The mounting (1), and/or the cover (3), are provided with positioning means (9, 26; 37, 38; 42) of the mirror mounting plate (31), enabling said plate (31) to be positioned in any of the positions habitually used, either manually or through a mechanical or electrical control device. The base member (2) and the cover (3) or the base member (2) and the mirror mounting plate (31) have respective and complementary dampening means which comprise, in the base member (2), dampening means (32), and in the cover (3), or in the mirror mounting plate (31), a dampening extension (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza Vicioso
  • Patent number: 6863162
    Abstract: An electric parking brake for a vehicle, comprising a winch having a rotation axis, an electrical motor for turning the winch, and two braking cables fixed to the circumference of the winch on opposite sides, so that under a rotation of the winch segments of essentially equal length of the braking cables are wrapped onto the winch. The winch is disposed in a housing having oppositely disposed exit openings through which the cables pass, respectively, and tapered side walls for guiding the cables from the circumference of the winch to the exit openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: FICO Cables, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas
  • Patent number: 6848174
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for processing electronic components, such as semi-conductor products, comprising at least two processing stations, at least one supply/discharge position for electronic components, a robot arm with engaging means for engaging the electronic components for displacing electronic components between the supply/discharge position and the processing stations, and a control for actuating the robot arm and the processing stations. The invention also relates to an assembly of at least two such apparatuses and to a method for processing electronic components which can be performed by means of the apparatus according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Fico B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Lambertus Gerardus Maria Venrooij, Adrianus Henricus Ignatius Maria Verkuijlen
  • Patent number: 6820933
    Abstract: A spine support is provided in particular for the use in a seat of a vehicle with at least one bending element (20) and at least two independent operating elements (41a, 42a, 41b, 42b) to bend the bending element (20), wherein the first operating element (41a, 42a) engages a first part of the bending element (20) to cause first curvature of the spine support and the second bending element (41b, 42b) engages a second part of the bending element (20) to cause a second curvature of the spine support so that the overall curved shape of the spine support is a superposition of the first and second curvature. According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a spine support, in particular for the use in the seat of a vehicle with at least one bending element (20) and at least one supporting element (30′), wherein the at least one supporting element (30′) is flexibly attached to the at least one bending element (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fico Cables, LDA
    Inventor: Manuel Fernando Braga Fereira Da Silva
  • Patent number: 6718842
    Abstract: Shift lever unit for transforming the tilting movements of a shift lever (1) in electrical control signals, in particular for controlling a gearbox, with a shift lever, a rotating element (30, 3′) which is rotated by the tilting movements of the shift lever (1) and a sensor (32, 41) detecting the angular position of the rotating element (30, 3′) and transforming it into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fico Triad
    Inventor: Josep Bofias
  • Patent number: 6581490
    Abstract: A shift-lever unit for converting tilting movements of a shift lever (30) into pulling movements of two cable lines (40, 70), comprising a housing unit (10) which defines two rotation axes (100, 200) perpendicular to one another, a frame unit (20) which is mounted on the housing unit (10) so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis (100) and to which the first of the two cable lines (40) is fastened, a deflecting unit (60) which is mounted in a rotatable manner on the housing unit (10) parallel to the first rotation axis (100) but so as to be offset from the latter and to which the second of the two cable lines (70) is fastened, and a shift lever (30) which is mounted in said frame unit (20) so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis (200) and which is operatively connected to the deflecting unit (60) in such a way that tilting of the shift lever (30) about the first rotation axis (100) essentially leads to a pulling movement on the first cable line (40), and tilting of the shift lever (30)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: FICO Triad
    Inventor: Xavier Motger Graus
  • Patent number: 6561057
    Abstract: An adjusting device designed to adjust the length of control cables made up of two half-cables which are connected by a linking device having two exterior linking bodies and two interior linking bodies. The adjusting device includes a coaxially arranged stem provided with retaining teeth which forms one of the exterior linking bodies, a sheath terminal body, a fixing jacket and a fixing ring provided with retaining teeth. Upon rotation of the fixing jacket and fixing ring, a locking assembly is disengaged and the length of the cable may be adjusted. The adjusting device may also include a thrust sleeve and a thrust spring designed so that the adjusting device is permanently subjected to a force biased to reduce its length when unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas Cebollero
  • Patent number: 6538235
    Abstract: A de-icing system for de-icing a window pane, in particular a window pane of a motor vehicle, comprising a reservoir for receiving a de-icing liquid, a heating element for heating the de-icing liquid, a pump for pumping the de-icing liquid from the reservoir through the heating element to at least one outlet, wherein the at least one outlet is shaped such that the heated de-icing liquid is nebulized and precipitates as distributed hot droplets on the window pane to be de-iced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fico Transpar, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Mota López, Juan Jesus Elvira Peralta
  • Patent number: 6532783
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for clamping at least two tool parts movable relative to each other for processing carriers for electronic components in a press. The invention also relates to a press adapted for co-action with the clamping device. The invention also describes a tool part and a tool assembled from tool parts and adapted for co-action with the clamping device. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for mounting a tool in a press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fico B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Wilhelmus van Dalen, Willem Adriaan de Boer
  • Patent number: 6507185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test device for testing electronic components mounted on a carrier such as a lead frame, comprising: a transport path for supplying a carrier for testing; a manipulator for engaging and displacing a supplied carrier; a test contact with which a carrier and/or at least one component mounted on the carrier can be placed in contact by the manipulator; and a transport path for discharging a tested carrier. The invention also embraces a test assembly which includes at least one described test device. The invention furthermore provides a method for testing electronic components mounted on a carrier and method for calibrating a test device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: FICO B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Antonie Hennekes, Antoon Willem Pothoven
  • Patent number: 6435837
    Abstract: A pump arrangement for windshield washer systems of motor vehicles includes a pump housing (30) and an impeller (32) within the pump housing (30) for pumping a liquid. The pump housing (30) includes a liquid inlet (36), and a liquid outlet (38) through which the impeller (32) delivers the liquid (5) out of the pump housing (30). The pump arrangement also includes a sensor housing (40) that is connected to the pump housing (30). The sensor housing (40) includes a sensor arrangement (42, 42′) for responding to a changing liquid level (H,L) in the sensor housing (40). The sensor housing (40) has a liquid inlet (44) and a liquid outlet (46). The liquid outlet (46) of the sensor housing (40) and the liquid inlet (36) of the pump housing (30) are co-axially arranged with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Fico Transpar, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Mota Lopez, Juan Jesus Elvira Peralta
  • Patent number: 6435394
    Abstract: A transporter for lead frames has two rotatable wheels with mutually facing running surfaces for engaging a lead frame between the wheels. A frame supports the wheels. An actuating cylinder engages on at least one wheel for mutual displacement of the wheels. An assembly of two such transporters is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Fico B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Gerhardus Augustinus Zweers
  • Patent number: 6428731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mould part of a mould for encapsulating electronic components mounted on a carrier, composing at least one mould cavity provided in said mould part and at least one runner for moulding material connecting to said mould cavity, wherein the gate from said runner to said mould cavity has an oblong shape. The invention also relates to a mould with at least one such mould part. The invention also provides a method for encapsulating electronic components mounted on a carrier, wherein the liquid moulding material is fed into the mould cavity through a wide supply opening. Finally, the invention also provides an encapsulated electronic component mounted on a carrier, which component is manufactured by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Fico, B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Johannes Bernardus Peters, Marcel Gerardus Antonius Tomassen
  • Patent number: 6357826
    Abstract: A spine support comprises at least one bending element (20, 20′) a plurality of supporting elements (30) essentially orthogonal arranged to the at least one bending element (20) and connected with it; and a first operating element (40, 40′) arranged such that its operation leads to a bending of the at least one bending element (20). Two pairs of bowden cables (40, 60) for adjusting the spine support are operated by a control unit (90) comprising two coaxially arranged axles (91, 92). Preferably on at least one of the axles (91, 92) a receiver (96) for the inner steel cables of one of the two pairs of bowden cables and a receptacle (97) for the corresponding covers of the bowden cables are provided. The receiver (96) and the receptacle (97) approach each other or move away from each other under a rotation of the axle, depending on the direction of the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Gabas, Rui Antionio Cruz de Pinho
  • Patent number: 6305238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting unit for the transmission of pulling movements to one end of at least one bowden cable, in particular for a parking brake of a vehicle. The present invention further relates to a method for establishing a connection between a bowden cable and a pulling element for the transmission of pulling movements, as it is preferably used during the assembly of parking brakes in vehicles. The connecting unit comprises a support with at least one opening for the mounting of the connecting unit, a pulling element with at least one receptacle for the end of the at least one bowden cable and a guiding element, where the end of the at least one bowden cable can engage the receptacle, and the guiding element is arranged between the at least one opening of the support and the at least one receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Fico Cables S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas
  • Patent number: 6263756
    Abstract: This terminal comprises a tubular portion (25) on which are coaxially arranged a fixing body (20) attached to the tubular portion (25) designed to receive a stem (12) fixed to one end (10) of steel cable (2) of a control cable (1), a fixing spring (21) and a closure body (19) which, driven by the spring (21), has rotation capacity between two positions, opening position and fixing position. The fixing body (20) and the stem (12) have respective screw-threaded retaining sections (47, 16), and the terminal (17) has a trigger (48) with capacity for sliding between two positions, an opening position and a locking position. Applicable to the automobile industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Gabas Cebollero, Jordi Dalmau Riu
  • Patent number: 6260435
    Abstract: A brake lever for automobile vehicle safety brake has a power arm with a hand grip portion provided with a longitudinal cavity and a rear portion linked to the hand grip portion and having a U-shaped cross-section with two plates spaced from one another and prolonged longitudinally to form resistance arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Ruf Morales, Jose Antonio Carcaño Sobre
  • Patent number: 6247380
    Abstract: An adjusting device designed to adjust the length of control cables made up of two half-cables which are connected by a linking device having two exterior linking bodies and two interior linking bodies. The adjusting device includes a coaxially arranged stem provided with retaining teeth which forms one of the exterior linking bodies, a sheath terminal body, a fixing jacket and a fixing ring provided with retaining teeth. Upon rotation of the fixing jacket and fixing ring, a locking assembly is disengaged and the length of the cable may be adjusted. The adjusting device may also include a thrust sleeve and a thrust spring designed so that the adjusting device is permanently subjected to a force biased to reduce its length when unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: FICO Cables, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas Cebollero