Abstract: A steering device for moving and directing a miniature vehicle provided with at least one leading wheel, the steering device has a control member arranged outside the miniature vehicle to be remote-manipulated by the user, a transmission for transmitting inside the miniature vehicle any movement produced on the control member, and a support component for deflecting each leading wheel controlled by the transmission. The steering device has converting members for gearing down any primary movement actuating the transmission into a secondary movement for deflecting each leading wheel. The steering device is applicable to toys, in particular miniature vehicles remote-controlled by a control member with dimensions and positioning corresponding to the child's morphology.
Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes first (20) and second (40) meshing gears, a rotatable eccentric (50), a torsion spring (70), and a rotation blocking member (80). The first gear (20) is rotatable about a first axis (22) and the second gear (40) is rotatable about a second axis (42). The rotatable eccentric (50) supports the first gear (20) for rotation about the first axis (22). Rotation of the eccentric (50) in a first direction (54) causes the first axis (22) and the first gear (20) to move toward the second axis (42). The torsion spring (70) biases the eccentric (50) for rotation in the first direction (54). The rotation blocking member (80) prevents rotation of the eccentric (50) in a second direction (56) opposite the first direction (54).
Abstract: To fully secure the precision around an output shaft, an electromagnet is axially held in position between a center bracket and a front bracket which form an enclosing member for a starter.
Abstract: In the invention, the structure of an articulated robot is a hollow structure, and the entire body of the arms and closing cover is formed as an enclosed structure. Therefore, an air flow communication passage is maintained, so that dust formed in the robot can be discharged outside of the clean room. Moreover, by forming two or more openings, the pressure level in the robot can be controlled, and without causing adverse effects on the speed reducer or bearing in the slide parts of the articulated robot, it is possible to prevent dust particles of the slide parts generated during operation of the arm, or volatile vapor of lubricant, from flowing out of the robot body.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 18, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2001
Assignee:
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Abstract: A device for generating directed vibrations has two centrifugal weights which are independently driven at the same speed of rotation but in opposite directions. The centrifugal weights are supported on a largely stiff carrier secured by a holder to a bracket. The holder allows the carrier to move relative to the bracket. When the centrifugal weights start moving, they become synchronized within a short period of time and generate vibrations which can be used in the desired manner via the bracket.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 24, 2001
Assignee:
Wacker-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
Inventors:
Thomas Maurer, Edith Kramp, Johann Breitenbach, Thomas Bromberger, Alexander Mark, Georg Sick
Abstract: A control device for vehicle steering, braking and accelerator, including but not limited to motor vehicles for use by handicapped drivers, especially those handicapped in the lower limbs, is provided. The control device relates to a system utilizing the steering wheel to accomplish both steering and braking and an accelerator lever device to control the accelerator operations of the vehicle. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system wherein the steering is accomplished in a normal manner by the driver, but the driver need only push forward on the steering wheel to accomplish the braking operations or move a lever device to control the speed of the vehicle. The control device for vehicle steering, braking and accelerator may be employed in any vehicle, including but not limited to motor vehicles, with a mechanical or an automatic gear box.
Abstract: In the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, the radial needle roller bearing includes a plurality of needle rollers, the two end portions of each of the needle rollers in the axial direction thereof are crowned, and the crowning amount is set such that, in the portion of the needle roller that is situated by 7-13% of the axial-direction length toward the axial-direction central portion of the needle roller from the axial-direction end face of the needle roller, the crowning amount is 0.1-0.4% of the outside diameter of the axial-direction central portion of the needle roller.
Abstract: A selecting device facilitates selecting operating positions of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle by the deflection of a selector lever which moves back automatically from all deflecting directions for selecting the individual operating positions. The automatic transmission can be controlled by this selector lever in a first operating mode—selecting individual driving positions in the automatic operation—or, in a second operating mode—step-by-step shifting of the gears in the manual operation. For each operating mode, one operating position of the automatic transmission respectively is assigned to each deflecting direction of the selector lever. The selector lever is movable, in two shifting channels which are essentially disposed perpendicularly with respect to one another such that maximally four operating positions can be selected in each of the two operating modes. In a third operating mode, cruise control functions can be controlled by means of the selector lever.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2001
Assignee:
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Abstract: A z-axis positioner that maintains precise parallel relationship between a triangular top platform (24) and a mating bottom platform (30) juxtipositioned with each other, when separated in the z-axis. Three rectangular hinge plate sets (32) and (36) are attached with flexural strip hinges (40) in crossed pairs to opposite sides of the platforms and hinge plates such that the top and bottom platforms maintain the parallel relationship when separated without of any lateral movement. The platforms are adjusted in separable height by a variety of methods such as a micrometer, a hand screw or pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical actuators. A second embodiment utilizes the same principles except the platforms are square in shape and only two hinge plate sets are required on two adjacent sides of each platform.
Abstract: A face gear transmission, in particular for aircraft application, has a floating input pinion rotating about a respective axis, and two face gears which are positioned facing each other, rotate about a common axis forming an angle of other than 90° with the axis of the pinion, both mesh with the input pinion, and have respective different diameters.
Abstract: A face gear transmission assembly has a supporting structure, and a pair of face gears which are positioned facing each other, rotate with respect to the supporting structure about a common axis, and both mesh with two input pinions and three transmission pinions; the transmission pinions are supported by an auxiliary frame which provides for maintaining the transmission pinions equally spaced angularly, is connected to the supporting structure in angularly fixed manner about the common axis, and is movable along the common axis and at least in one direction crosswise to the common axis.
Abstract: An electromotive drive mechanism for a body of furniture, includes a worm drive which is activated by a motor and includes a worm received in the casing and a worm wheel in engagement with the worm. Received in the casing is a support body which is closely fitted around the worm and includes a receiving opening for engagement by the worm wheel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 5, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 10, 2001
Assignee:
Dewert Antriebs- und Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Abstract: A stow-away vehicle transmission shift system adapted to be pivotally attached to a drivers seat of said vehicle is provided according to the invention. The stow-away vehicle transmission shift system includes an axle affixed to the drivers seat, a swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, with the lower end being pivotally attached to the axle, and an electronic wire shift mechanism and an associated gearshift lever mounted on the upper end of the swing arm, wherein the stow-away vehicle transmission shift system is capable of being pivoting with respect to the drivers seat between a forward in use position and a rearward stowed position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 27, 2000
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2001
Assignee:
Mack Trucks, Inc.
Inventors:
James J. Wilson, Neal W. Biser, Lonnie K. Kresge, John Patrick Petraglia, Jr.
Abstract: A control device for hydrostatic apparatus is disclosed. One embodiment in the control device is optimized for use with a hydrostatic transmission having a casing. The control arm is movably mounted to the casing and frictional structure engages the control arm to resist rotational movement of the control arm. A spring may be used to bias a wedge into frictional relation with the control arm to resist rotation of the control arm. The wedge may also be secured with removable attachments.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 16, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2001
Assignee:
Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
Inventors:
Raymond M. Hauser, Thomas J. Langenfeld, William H. Ward
Abstract: A lock down apparatus for use with an oil well pumping unit of the walking beam type. It includes upper and lower clamps for attachment to the walking beam and to the bottom frame of the unit, respectively, and an adjustable tensioning arrangement extending between the two clamps. Part of the tensioning unit is a wire rope with plastic buttons pressed onto the rope at suitably spaced intervals. A coupler for latching to the particular button which is selected for adjustment for the distance between the walking beam and its frame is provided. Once the tensioning unit is in place, a turnbuckle is tightened to increase the tension to hold the walking beam in a lowered position, against inadvertent release of the pumping unit safety brake.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 14, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2001
Assignee:
Bac-Lamb Wire Line Services
Inventors:
Gary Richard McCain, James Robert McCain, Donald J. Lewis
Abstract: A tube motor having an electric motor which is placed in a tube and the electric motor is coupled to a screw transmission including two screws with different pitches and a guide rod, whose driven screw and guide rod are arranged in-line on the common axis and manufactured as a single piece, placed rotatable, axially immovable driven nut and in an immovable guide profile, the electric motor being fixed at one end of said stationary tube and the driven nut being rotatably but axially immovable coupled to the other end of the stationary tube; whereby the pitch of said driven screw is high enough that the whole screw transmission is self-locking with respect to an external torque.
Abstract: A load directing trunnion mount for a linear actuator is constructed to receive all of the tensile forces exerted on the actuator shaft or lead screw of the linear actuator. In this manner, the load directing trunnion mount relieves a transmission drive element (for example, a drive gear or a sprocket or pulley) and the transmission housing enclosing the drive element from tensile forces exerted on the actuator shaft during use of the linear actuator.
Abstract: A two-part torque-compensating suspension for a transmission 2 mounted around the shaft 1 of a machine. The suspension includes a rocking plate 3. The rocking plate is preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane extending through the shaft. The plate is fastened to the non-moving parts of the transmission and connected to fixed pedestals 8. Two levers 5 extend between the rocking plate and the pedestals. The levers' inner arms are connected by a secondary connecting rod 6.
Abstract: A drive gear engages a driven gear with non-intersecting axes of rotation making an angle of approximately 90° with respect to one another. A shaft has a first portion with a predetermined diameter, and a second portion has an enveloped worm gear with at least one roll-formed helical tooth formed thereon with an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the first portion of the shaft. The extra envelopment achieves an overall smaller package size for competitive advantage. When the shaft is rolled, the outside teeth exceed the shaft diameter by a predetermined amount allowing more teeth to be in contact with the driven gear. An outer bearing can be placed at the end of the shaft to allow the teeth to be of a larger diameter than the shaft. The pitch of the teeth can vary. Preferably, the bearing groove is roll formed simultaneously with the teeth of the worm gear since the centroid of the enveloped teeth must be located with the gear center line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 13, 1999
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2001
Assignee:
Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Shixiang Zhou, Harry Charles Buchanan, Jr., Ralph John Unterborn
Abstract: A transmission casing design including externally mounted protrusions or devices on the casing for creating a durable, visible coding system. The casing may include a plurality of housing sections for mounting a hydrostatic transmission or other type of transmission. The protrusions may be machined or otherwise durably marked to create an information code.