Patents Examined by Bradley King
  • Patent number: 9920810
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a damping valve for a shock absorber, comprising a base body with a first support body and with a second support body and comprising one or more valve spring discs which separate a first damping fluid space from a second damping fluid space, wherein the valve spring discs are supported against the first support body via an inner edge support, and against the second support body via an outer edge support, and which control a passage of damping fluid in both directions by virtue of the fact that the valve spring discs lift-off either from the inner edge support or from the outer edge support, by elastic deflection. According to the invention, a stroke movable control body is provided which is prestressed against the valve spring discs, so that the control behaviour of the valve spring discs can be adjusted via the edge supports by the prestress of the control body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH
    Inventors: Dmitrij Smeljanskij, Klaus Schmidt, Ole Götz, Wolfgang Hamers, Freddy Woenarta
  • Patent number: 9908515
    Abstract: A drive assembly has a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. A brake assembly is configured to couple to the rotor of the drive motor and is moveable between a braked position in which the brake assembly impedes rotation of the rotor and a released position in which the brake assembly allows rotation of the rotor. An actuator is arranged in the housing to engage the brake assembly at least when the brake assembly is in the braked position and to engage the selector mechanism at least when the brake assembly is in the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Austin B. Stephens
  • Patent number: 9889836
    Abstract: An electromechanical braking device for a braking system including a master brake cylinder including an electric motor, an adjustable output rod, and a gear, the electric motor being connected to the output rod at least via the gear so that a power transmission path is present via which a motor output is at least partially transmittable to the output rod so that the output rod is adjustable, the electromechanical braking device including at least one elastic component situated within the power transmission path which is configured so that the at least one elastic component is not compressible below a control point of the electromechanical braking device, but during the occurrence of pressure peaks in the master brake cylinder which are above the control point of the electromechanical braking device, the at least one elastic component is compressible. Also described is a braking system for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Mahnkopf, Andreas Schlichenmaier, Stefan Seitz, Otmar Bussmann, Bertram Foitzik, Thomas Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 9890827
    Abstract: Architected materials with superior energy absorption properties when loaded in compression. In several embodiments such materials are formed from micro-truss structures composed of interpenetrating tubes in a volume between a first surface and a second surface. The stress-strain response of these structures, for compressive loads applied to the two surfaces, is tailored by arranging for some but not all of the tubes to extend to both surfaces, adjusting the number of layers of repeated unit cells in the structure, arranging for the nodes to be offset from alignment along lines normal to the surfaces, or including multiple interlocking micro-truss structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Tobias A. Schaedler, Alan J. Jacobsen, Zak C. Eckel, Sophia S. Yang, Adam E. Sorensen, Jacob M. Hundley, William Carter, Jie Jiang
  • Patent number: 9884209
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a rope grab comprising a body, and a cover member pivotally coupled to the body. The rope grab also comprises a cam pivotally coupled to the body for grabbing a rope or other lifeline. The rope is grabbed or engaged within a recess defined by the body. The rope grab is designed to provide fall protection, work positioning, and a moveable and temporary anchor point on the lifeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Han Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 9878604
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a liquid-sealed antivibration device capable of improving the position accuracy of an outer fitting member and a diaphragm. [Solution] Since a cylindrical outer fitting member 11 with an outer edge part of a diaphragm 10 connected thereto is externally fitted on a partition member 20 at an area on an inner peripheral surface of the outer fitting member 11 where the diaphragm 10 is not connected, that is, since the diaphragm 10 is not interposed between the partition member 20 and the outer fitting member 11, the position relation of the outer fitting member 11 to the partition member 20 can be stabilized, so that the outer fitting member 11 can be restrained from inclining relative to the partition member 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norimitsu Furusawa, Tatsuki Ikawa
  • Patent number: 9873416
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic brake system method for motor vehicles having a wheel-specific brake control function (ABS, ESC, TCS) and hydraulically actuable wheel brakes (43, 44, 45, 46), communicating with an electrically controllable pressure supply device. The pressure supply device (40) having a cylinder-based piston arrangement with a pressure space driven by an electromechanical actuator (2, 4). To set a brake system pressure (Psys) wherein a wheel-specific wheel setpoint pressure (Pi) is predefined for each wheel brake, and a pressure regulating process (301) is carried out, wherein at certain times a control process (303) of the pressure medium volume which is output by the pressure supply device is carried out instead of the pressure regulating process (301) of the brake system pressure, switching over (302) from the pressure regulating process to the control of the pressure medium volume is carried out as a function of the wheel setpoint pressures (Pi).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Georg Roll, Jürgen Böhm, Marco Besier
  • Patent number: 9874259
    Abstract: An adjustment device is provided for adjusting the wear of brake pads and a brake disk of a disc brake, in particular of a pneumatically actuated disc brake. The disc brake includes a brake application device actuated by a rotary lever, which brake application device has an adjusting spindle into which the adjustment device is insertable. The adjustment device is attached to a brake caliper of the disc brake by way of a bearing disk. The adjustment device is provided with a spindle and at least one friction pairing, each friction pairing having two contact surfaces. The friction pairing has a curved cross-section of at least one of its two contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Tropp
  • Patent number: 9874255
    Abstract: A brake component comprising: (a) one or more tie bars, and (b) one or more open spaces on each side of the tie bar, wherein during a brake apply the one or more tie bars each allow a brake pad to rotate into the open spaces of the brake component while the tie bar remains an only point of contact of the brake component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: AKEBONO BRAKE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Izumihara, Matthew Robere, Masayuki Ueda, Ishiguro Isao, Tadasuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9873411
    Abstract: An actuator (1), especially for a motor vehicle parking brake has a telescopic device (2) that actuates a brake cable (6), and a drive unit which is equipped with an electromechanical drive for actuating the telescopic device (2). The actuator (1) further has a displacement sensor unit for detecting the actuating travel of the telescopic device (2) as well as a force sensor unit for detecting the force applied to the brake cable (6) by the drive unit. The displacement sensor unit and the force sensor unit are disposed next to each other in or on the housing (3) of the telescopic device (2) while being separated from the brake cable (6). The assembly has a particularly simple and compact design while reducing the constructive and mounting effort required during the production of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, WUERZBURG
    Inventors: Norbert Deutloff, Ekkehard Kraft, Stephan Roos, Armin Sauer
  • Patent number: 9855812
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 9855940
    Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor assembly for an air disk brake includes a brake actuator having a pushrod projecting from inside a chamber of said brake actuator. The pushrod releasably actuates a lever arm of a caliper thereby moving the disk brake into a braking position when the pushrod is in an extended position and releasing the disk brake from the braking position when the pushrod is in a retracted position. The pushrod includes a pushrod shaft and a contact member biased in a telescoping relationship relative to the pushrod shaft and the lever arm of the caliper abuts the contact member counteracting the bias of the contact member. A sensor is integrated with the assembly proximate the contact member and detects movement of the pushrod relative to the lever arm and to the pushrod shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Indian Head Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Wallace, Richard J. Rink, Glenn Singletary, Mark David Chandler, Andrew P. Schartner
  • Patent number: 9855990
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated control device of hydraulic brake for a handlebar of bicycle. The integrated control device includes a brake actuator of hydraulic type mounted on a housing body. The housing body comprises a handgrip portion and an attachment portion to the bicycle handlebar. The brake actuator includes a brake lever hinged on the housing body through a pin. A hydraulic cylinder is provided wherein a slidable piston is slidable that is kinematically connected to the brake lever through kinematic connection elements. A tank for hydraulic fluid is in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder. The control device includes an autonomous cartridge that comprises the hydraulic cylinder and the tank, and is removably inserted into a corresponding seat of the housing body. The seat is formed in a head portion of the housing body that is substantially opposite the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Davide Zenere, Jürgen Beier
  • Patent number: 9856939
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a reservoir between a cylinder and an outer tube, in which hydraulic liquid and gas are sealed; a middle tube between the cylinder and the outer tube; a connecting pipe in the lateral wall of the middle tube, which includes a tip end extending toward the outside of the outer tube; an opening in the outer tube, allowing hydraulic liquid to flow from the outside of the outer tube into the reservoir through the outer side of the connecting pipe; and a partition member in the reservoir, which includes a partition wall that configured to regulate hydraulic liquid's upward flow from the opening in the reservoir. The partition member is made of flexible resin or rubber, provided with a fitting hole, and fitted to the connecting pipe with interference with the connecting pipe inserted through the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Shigeo Katayama, Yohei Katayama, Umi Tanabe, Yusei Kimura, Yoshie Midorikawa, Hideki Hata, Osamu Shioume
  • Patent number: 9844720
    Abstract: A braking device is provided for an in-line skate where the braking device selectively alters the motion of the in-line skate depending upon the angulation of the in-line skate relative to a surface. As a user angulates or tilts the in-line skate, the braking device increasingly engages the surface to provide a braking force to alter the motion of the in-line skate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: BATMANN CONSULTING, INC.
    Inventor: Richard M. Batenburg
  • Patent number: 9840237
    Abstract: An electric brake system includes an electric brake having a friction pad which is pressed against a brake disk by an electric motor, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive detection outputs from a load detector for detecting a load applied to the brake disk, the brake pedal, and a vehicle speed detector, and to control the electric motor based on the outputs received. In particular, when the vehicle speed detector detects that the vehicle is at a stop, the controller compares the outputs of the brake pedal and of the load detector. If the difference therebetween, if any, is within the width of a dead band, the controller does not change, and thus maintains, the braking load even if the brake pedal is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yui Masuda
  • Patent number: 9834060
    Abstract: A bush for a stabilizer is configured so that surface pressure at an adhered surface of a hole of the bush is uniform in adhering the bush to a bar of the stabilizer, whereby necessary adhesive strength is obtained. A bush has a body part that includes a rectangular part with a rectangular shape and a curving part having a curved shape at an outer circumferential part thereof. The body part has a side surface part on which a protruding part is formed so as to protrude outwardly. When contained in a U-shaped part of a bracket shown in FIG. 3B, the rectangular part is arranged at a straight line part of the U-shaped part, the curving part is arranged at a circular arc part of the U-shaped part, and the protruding part is pressed toward the body part by an inner surface of the U-shaped part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9829114
    Abstract: A pressure regulator configured to regulate a pressure of a working fluid by two pilot pressures, including: a spool valve mechanism having a spool; a first biasing mechanism configured to bias the spool toward the other end of the pressure regulator in its axial direction by a first pilot pressure in a first-pilot-pressure chamber; a second biasing mechanism configured to bias the spool toward the other end of the pressure regulator by a second pilot pressure in a second-pilot-pressure chamber; and a counter biasing mechanism configured to bias the spool toward one end of the pressure regulator by a pressure of the working fluid in a regulated-pressure chamber, wherein the counter biasing mechanism has a counter biasing piston configured to push the spool toward the one end of the pressure regulator by the pressure of the working fluid in the regulated-pressure chamber applied to the counter biasing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 9828009
    Abstract: Provided is a hand brake, comprising a hand wheel (4), a chain (5), an enclosure (1), a drive shaft assembly (3) which is disposed in the enclosure (1), bull gear (13), and base assembly; the hand wheel (4) is connected to the drive shaft assembly (3), one end of the chain (5) is fixed to the bull gear (13) by means of rivets, and the main shaft of the bull gear (13) is a chain winding shaft (2). The hand brake further comprises a limiting device disposed on the chain winding shaft (2) between the bull gear (13) and the base (22); the limiting device comprises a first bearing (10), a torsion spring (11), a guide plate (9), and a guide plate holder (23). Installing the hand brake not only prevents the problem of the chain interfering with the movable pulley when the hand brake is deployed and thus affecting the performance of the hand brake, but also provides for a better appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG ROLLING STOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jingquan Bi, Chaoheng Wang, Xiangrui Li, Jigang Zhou, Xin Zhang, Chao Lin
  • Patent number: 9822833
    Abstract: A guiding means for a brake lining arrangement of a disc brake, comprising a main part which comprises a guiding portion provided for guiding a guiding projection of the brake lining arrangement and which comprises a fixing portion which is used to fix the guiding means to a brake support. The fixing portion has two contact surfaces and a stop surface which connects the two contact surfaces. At least one elastic retaining bracket is provided on the stop surface, the retaining bracket being in secure engagement with the brake support at least in some sections, and at least the stop surface is provided with a retaining portion which can be brought into contact with the brake support at least in some sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Mallmann