Patents Assigned to Teleflex Incorporated
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Patent number: 6374695Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly includes a mounting arrangement (1) for attachment to a vehicle structure (37), an accelerator pedal (6), a brake pedal (7), and a clutch pedal (8). The pedals (6, 7, 8) are pivotally supported with respect to the mounting arrangement (1) and define a first pivot axis (9). An adjustment element (5) is pivotally supported with respect to the mounting structure (1) and defines a second pivot axis (4). The adjustment element (5) selectively moves the pedals (6, 7, 8) between a plurality of operable positions. The adjustable pedal assembly is characterized by the pedals (6, 7, 8) being pivotally supported with respect to the adjustment element (5) wherein the second pivot axis (4) is generally parallel to the first pivot axis (9). A driving mechanism with an electric motor (11) and gear assembly (12) is used to rotate the adjustment element (5) about the second pivot axis (4).Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Mattias Johansson, Gunnar Fornell
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Patent number: 6367142Abstract: An adjustment assembly (10) for an integral shifter cable interlock is provided. The assembly includes (10) a cable assembly (11) having a conduit (12) defining an axis and a core element (14) disposed within the conduit (12) movable along the axis. A terminal assembly (15) is secured to a portion of the core element (14) and has an aperture (37). An interlock housing (24) is supported by the cable assembly (11) with the terminal assembly at least partially disposed within the interlock housing (24). An interlock device (46) is disposed within the interlock housing (24) and has an armature pin (48) transverse to the aperture (37) for coacting with the aperture (37) and preventing axial movement of the core element (14). The adjustment assembly (10) is characterized by a removable clip (50) interposed between the interlock housing (24) and the terminal assembly (15) for locating the aperture (37) relative to the armature pin (48).Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Klemens J. Meyer
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Patent number: 6364047Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly (10) includes two pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) disposed on a top side (16) of a carrier plate (18). Two parallel tracks (20 and 22) are disposed on a bottom side (24) of the carrier (18) for supporting the carrier (18) for movement between a fore and an aft position. The parallel tracks (20 and 22) are spaced apart a first distance for minimizing torque when either of the pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) is actuated. Additionally, the pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) are within the first distance separating the tracks (12 and 14). The carrier plate (18) has a periphery (26) extending about and spaced from the parallel tracks (20 and 22) to overlie the peripheral surface (34) of the floorboard (32) and limit access to the recess (36). An adjustment mechanism (28) for adjusting a fore and an aft position of the carrier (18) is disposed on the bottom side (24) of the carrier (18) between the parallel tracks (20 and 22).Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Christopher A. Bortolon
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Patent number: 6357319Abstract: A transmission shift control assembly comprising a housing (12) presenting a support (16) and a lever (18) pivotally is supported by the housing (12) for movement between shift positions. A mechanical connection (20) produces rectilinear movement in response to pivotal movement of the lever (18) and a core element (28) is connected to the mechanical connection (20) for receiving the rectilinear movement. A casing (30) movably supports the core element (28) and is supported in the support (16). The casing (30) includes a swivel tube (32) supported by a fitting (34) for swiveling movement relative thereto. The invention is characterized by an electrical sensor (46) supported by the swivel tube (32) for measuring the rectilinear movement of the core element(28).Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Thomas Benda, Matthias Scheidling
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Patent number: 6345550Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly for an automotive vehicle including a plurality of screw members (30, 130, 32, 132 and 42, 142) interconnected by threads for adjusting the position of q pedal pad (20, 120) along the adjustment axis A relative to a pedal arm (14, 114.) A first telescoping element (24, 124) and a second telescoping element (26, 126) which are in sliding engagement with one another along a telescoping axis for interconnecting the pedal pad (20, 120) and the pedal arm (14, 114) for stabilizing the movement of the pedal pad (20, 120) relative to a pedal arm (14, 114) along the adjustment axis A.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Anthony Markham, Christopher Bortolon, Christopher Rixon
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Patent number: 6330838Abstract: A pedal assembly (10) is mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and is used to generate a control signal for vehicle system. The pedal assembly includes a pedal arm (12) having a lower end (14) connected to a pedal pad (16) and an upper end (18) pivotally supported on a pivot shaft (22) to define a pivot axis (24). A housing (20) supports the pivot shaft (22) such that the pedal arm (12) is mounted for movement relative to the housing (20) about the pivot axis (24). A non-contact sensor assembly with a magnet member (26) spaced apart from a non-contact sensing surface (30) is used to generate the control signal based on pedal movement. The magnet member (26) is pivotally mounted on the shaft (22) for pivotal movement with the pedal arm (12) about the pivot axis (24) and the non-contact sensing surface (30) extends across an interior face (28) of the housing (20) to interact with the magnet member (26).Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Avtar Kalsi
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Patent number: 6314831Abstract: Various adjustable pedal assemblies (10, 110 and 210) include a pedal support (16, 116 or 216) slidably supported on a guide rod (12) with a pedal lever (18, 118 or 218) mounted on the support (16, 116 or 216) along the guide rod (12). The adjustable pedal assemblies (10, 110 and 210) are characterized by the screw (22) being external to and parallel to the guide rod (12). In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the pedal lever (18 or 118) is pivotally attached to the support (16 or 116) whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the pedal lever (218) and the support (216) are defined by an integral member and the bracket (214) includes a connection (34) for rotatably supporting the bracket (214) on a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Christopher J. Rixon, Christopher Bortolon
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Patent number: 6308395Abstract: A flexible motion transmitting core element (12) is attached a rod (14) and a conduit (16) movably supports the core element (12) and has an end portion to which is attached an end fitting (18). An insert (20) has a neck portion (22) embedded in the end fitting (18) and a spherical portion (24) presenting a ball-shaped pocket and extending from said neck portion (22) through a maximum inner diameter D. A swivel tube (26) has a bore therethrough for movably supporting the rod (14) and has a convex spherical surface (28) slidably supported in the ball-shaped pocket for swiveling movement relative to the end fitting (18). The end fitting (18) embeds only a portion of the spherical portion (24) of the insert (20) for allowing the open end (30) to move radially to snap the convex spherical surface (28) of the swivel tube (26) into the ball-shaped pocket of the insert (20). The insert (20) includes an anchor flange (32) for anchoring the insert (20) in the end fitting (18).Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated, Inc.Inventor: Grant A. Webb
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Patent number: 6305239Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly includes a mounting arrangement (1) for attachment to a vehicle structure (37), an accelerator pedal (6), a brake pedal (7), and a clutch pedal (8). The pedals (6, 7, 8) are pivotally supported with respect to the mounting arrangement (1) and define a first pivot axis (9). An adjustment element (5) is pivotally supported with respect to the mounting structure (1) and defines a second pivot axis (4). The adjustment element (5) selectively moves the pedals (6, 7, 8) between a plurality of operable positions. The adjustable pedal assembly is characterized by the pedals (6, 7, 8) being pivotally supported with respect to the adjustment element (5) wherein the second pivot axis (4) is generally parallel to the first pivot axis (9). A driving mechanism with an electric motor (11) and gear assembly (12) is used to rotate the adjustment element (5) about the second pivot axis (4).Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Mattias Johansson, Gunnar Fornell
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Publication number: 20010029658Abstract: An adjustment assembly (10) for an integral shifter cable interlock is provided. The assembly includes (10) a cable assembly (11) having a conduit (12) defining an axis and a core element (14) disposed within the conduit (12) movable along the axis. A terminal assembly (15) is secured to a portion of the core element (14) and has an aperture (37). An interlock housing (24) is supported by the cable assembly (11) with the terminal assembly at least partially disposed within the interlock housing (24). An interlock device (46) is disposed within the interlock housing (24) and has an armature pin (48) transverse to the aperture (37) for coacting with the aperture (37) and preventing axial movement of the core element (14). The adjustment assembly (10) is characterized by a removable clip (50) interposed between the interlock housing (24) and the terminal assembly (15) for locating the aperture (37) relative to the armature pin (48).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Klemens J. Meyer
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Publication number: 20010029804Abstract: A cable assembly (11) has a conduit (12) and a core element (14) passing through the conduit (12). A terminal assembly (15) is secured to one end of the core element (14). The subject invention incorporates both an interlock device (46) and an adjustment device on the same cable assembly (11). The interlock device (46) is disposed adjacent the terminal assembly (15) and is movable between a release position allowing relative movement between the terminal assembly (15) and the interlock device (46) and an engaged position preventing the relative movement between the terminal assembly (15) and the interlock device (46). The adjustment device includes an adjustment housing (20) partially disposed about a base portion (28) for allowing axial adjustment of the base portion (28) to tension the core element (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Klemens J. Meyer
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Patent number: 6298748Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly is adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and is operative to control a vehicle system, such as a braking system or engine throttle control system, for example. The assembly includes a carrier, a support structure mounting the carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure, and a drive assembly for providing the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. A pedal is operatively connected to the carrier for movement relative to the carrier that is independent of the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. The assembly is characterized by a generator having an input associated with the pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Christopher J. Rixon, Christopher Bortolon
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Patent number: 6295890Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly is adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and is operative to control a vehicle system, such as a braking system or engine throttle control system, for example. The assembly includes a carrier, a support structure mounting the carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure, and a drive assembly for providing the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. A pedal is operatively connected to the carrier for movement relative to the carrier that is independent of the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. The assembly is characterized by a generator having an input associated with the pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Christopher J. Rixon, Christopher Bortolon
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Patent number: 6289763Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly is adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and is operative to control a vehicle system, such as a braking system or engine throttle control system for example. The assembly includes a carrier, a support structure mounting the carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure, and a drive assembly for providing the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. A pedal is operatively connected to the carrier for movement relative to the carrier that is independent of the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. The assembly is characterized by generator having an input associated with the pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Christopher J. Rixon, Christopher Bortolon
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Patent number: 6282979Abstract: An adjustment assembly (10) for an integral shifter cable interlock is provided. The assembly includes (10) a cable assembly (11) having a conduit (12) defining an axis and a core element (14) disposed within the conduit (12) movable along the axis. A terminal assembly (15) is secured to a portion of the core element (14) and has an aperture (37). An interlock housing (24) is supported by the cable assembly (11) with the terminal assembly at least partially disposed within the interlock housing (24). An interlock device (46) is disposed within the interlock housing (24) and has an armature pin (48) transverse to the aperture (37) for coacting with the aperture (37) and preventing axial movement of the core element (14). The adjustment assembly (10) is characterized by a removable clip (50) interposed between the interlock housing (24) and the terminal assembly (15) for locating the aperture (37) relative to the armature pin (48).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Klemens J. Meyer
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Patent number: 6263859Abstract: An accelerator pedal assembly for an electronic throttle control includes a housing, a pedal arm, and a sensor assembly for generating an electric control signal that varies in relation to the position of the pedal arm. The pedal arm is supported for movement relative to the housing and has a first end connected to a pedal pad and a second end pivotally supported on a shaft to define a pivot axis. The sensor assembly includes a sensor member that is pivotally mounted on the shaft for pivotal movement with the pedal arm about the pivot axis. The pedal assembly is characterized by the housing presenting a sensing surface for interacting with the sensor member to generate the electric control signal that varies in magnitude in proportion to the extent of movement of the pedal arm relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Avtar Kalsi
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Patent number: 6244127Abstract: A transmission shift control assembly comprising a housing (12) presenting a support (16) and a lever (18) pivotally is supported by the housing (12) for movement between shift positions. A mechanical connection (20) produces rectilinear movement in response to pivotal movement of the lever (18) and a core element (28) is connected to the mechanical connection (20) for receiving the rectilinear movement. A casing (30) movably supports the core element (28) and is supported in the support (16). The casing (30) includes a swivel tube (32) supported by a fitting (34) for swiveling movement relative thereto. The invention is characterized by an electrical sensor (46) supported by the swivel tube (32) for measuring the rectilinear movement of the core element (28).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Teleflex, IncorporatedInventors: Thomas Benda, Matthias Scheidling
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Patent number: 6244107Abstract: A gauge mounting assembly (10) for mounting a gauge (12) to a vehicle instrument panel (18) includes a gauge (12) disposed within an annular gauge housing (14) and an annular gauge bracket (16) for securing the gauge (12) to the instrument panel (18). The gauge bracket (16) includes ratcheting surfaces (22) for retaining the housing (14) to the bracket (16) in any one of various positions. The ratcheting surfaces (22) are disposed upon flexible tabs (24) extending from the bracket (16). The gauge housing (14) includes a plurality of annular and parallel ribs (26) for engaging the ratcheting surfaces (22) on the tabs (24).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Teleflex, IncorporatedInventors: Steve D. Nelson, Richard K. Anderson, Jack T. Sossamon
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Patent number: 6241068Abstract: A shift lever assembly (12) for a vehicle transmission (16) includes a housing (30), a selector lever (22) pivotally mounted with respect to the housing (20), a detent member (34), and a pawl (38). The selector lever (22) defines a longitudinal lever axis (66) along which a shift force is applied to selectively shift the transmission (16) between a plurality of shift positions. The detent member (34) is fixed with respect to the housing (30) and defines a plurality of detent gates (36) corresponding to the shift positions. The pawl (38) is mounted for movement with the selector lever (22) in and out of the detent gates (36). A roller assembly (76) is mounted to one end of the selector lever (22) and engages a stop (68). When the pawl (38) is in the park position and vehicle braking system (18) is not applied, the stop (68) prevents the lever (22) from moving longitudinally along the longitudinal lever axis (66).Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Klemens J. Meyer
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Patent number: 6237565Abstract: A vehicle control pedal apparatus (12) includes a support (18) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure (20) and an adjustable pedal assembly (22) having a pedal arm (14) that is moveable in fore and aft directions with respect to the support (18). A pivot (24) pivotally supports the adjustable pedal assembly (22) with respect to the support (18) and defines a pivot axis (26). The control pedal apparatus (12) further includes an electronic throttle control (28) attached to the support (18) for controlling an engine throttle (30). The apparatus (12) is characterized by the electronic throttle control (28) being responsive to the pivot (24) for providing a signal (32) that corresponds to pedal arm position as the pedal arm (14) pivots about the pivot axis (26) between rest and applied positions, Thus, the control pedal apparatus (12) can adjust pedal arm position in fore and aft directions without having to move the electronic throttle control unit (28) along with the pedal arm (14).Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Steven J. Engelgau