Patents Examined by Chong H. Kim
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Patent number: 6863156Abstract: A gearbox housing element having an oil outlet opening and a method for acting upon the liquid level of a gearbox is disclosed. The gearbox housing element has a device which can be brought into two working positions. In a first working position, the height of the liquid level in the gearbox housing during the filling and operation of the gearbox is predetermined by an upper opening of the device. In a second working position for draining the gearbox oil, an oil drain opening of the device is released, which opening is arranged below the upper opening and therefore permits draining of a large part of the oil disposed in the gearbox. The oil drain opening is opened by a tool which is introduced into the oil drain opening from outside the gear box housing. The gearbox can be an automatic gearbox for motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Dieter Seemann
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Patent number: 6863158Abstract: Oil filling structure of pneumatic tool, including an airflow way formed in the main body for conducting high pressure air into a pneumatic cylinder disposed in the pneumatic tool. An air intake switch is connected with the airflow way for controlling opening/closing of the airflow way. An oil filling hole is disposed in air intake switch. When the switch is positioned in a close position, a lubricant can be filled into the oil filling hole to flow into the airflow way. The high pressure air can entrain the lubricant in the airflow way into the cylinder to lubricate and clean the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Gison Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Freddy Lin
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Patent number: 6854563Abstract: A wayside lubrication apparatus (10) for applying a lubricant (26) to a second position (36) of a rail (12) in response to the head of a train (14) being proximate a first position (20) of the rail. The distance (D) between the two positions prevents the lubricant from reducing the traction capability of the drive wheels (38) of the locomotives (16). The application of the lubricant is terminated before a number of rear load cars (46) passes the lubricant applicator (28) so that the residual lubricant remaining on the rail after the train has passed is reduced. Operation of the lubricant dispensing apparatus (22) may be bypassed by an operator-controlled bypass device (60) or in response to a signal (56) indicating moisture on the rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden
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Patent number: 6851333Abstract: An accelerator pedal device includes at least one pedal element that can be moved about the center of rotation of a gas pedal, opposite a base element, and which has at least one retraction element, and at least one damper element to dampen the pedal actuation movement and the pedal retraction movement of the pedal element. A control unit is provided, connected to a sensor element, which controls the motor unit as follows: a) sensing, through the control sensor element, a condition that deviates from the prescribed normal condition; b) switching on the motor unit that generates a motor counterforce that acts upon the pedal element in addition to the damping force of the damper element; and c) switching off the motor unit when the prescribed normal condition is sensed by the control sensor element.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: AB Elektronik GmbHInventors: Peter Apel, Klaus Wilczek
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Patent number: 6845688Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly includes a pedal and a cleat. The pedal includes a pedal body that rotates about a shaft and front and rear clamping members coupled to opposite ends of the pedal body. The cleat has front and rear attachment portions that are selectively engageable with the pedal via the front and rear clamping members. The pedal and the cleat are configured to form a laterally shiftable floating pivot axis such that the bicycle shoe cleat pivots and laterally shifts about the floating pivot axis relative to the pedal body through predetermined ranges of pivotal and lateral movements without releasing the bicycle shoe cleat from the bicycle pedal.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Tsutomu Muraoka
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Patent number: 6845847Abstract: A lubrication system for a bearing of a machine. The system comprises an oil tank, and an oil supply pipe for supplying the lubricant oil from the oil tank to the bearing. The system further comprises an outlet pipe for guiding the lubricant oil from the bearing substantially vertically downward so that an outlet pipe oil level may be formed in the outlet pipe. The system further comprises an oil returning mother pipe for guiding the lubricant oil from the outlet pipe to the tank. The oil returning mother pipe includes a substantially horizontal part and a weir or a flow resistance disposed close to the tank so that substantially all portion of the substantially horizontal part may be maintained full of lubricant oil.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Toshiaki Nonaka, Masahiko Nakahara, Yoshio Murakami
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Patent number: 6834564Abstract: An accelerator module actuated by the driver's foot for controlling the output of a driving engine or motor of a motor vehicle employs a friction element for generating a friction hysteresis for the purpose of achieving a comfortable driving feel. Support of the pedal lever is completely independent of the generation of the friction hysteresis, resulting in a particularly favorable, especially stable, and play-free support of the pedal lever, and the brake insert for generating the friction hysteresis is particularly easy to manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Sandra Huesges, Dirk Meyer, Mario Huesges, Radek Caba
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Patent number: 6826979Abstract: A detent mechanism is provided for minimizing the force balance condition of an operating lever assembly. The detent mechanism has a detent housing with first and second detent members disposed therein. Means are provided for biasing the first detent member against rotation. The second detent member frictionally engages the first detent member while being capable of movement relative thereto. The second detent member is also disposed for selective engagement of detent notches provided on the first detent member, whereby movement of the second detent member with and relative to the first detent member causes the first detent member to rotate in a first direction until the means for biasing exerts enough force on the first detent member to cause the first detent member to rotate in a second direction causing the second detent member to engage an adjacent detent notch of the first detent member.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Niels Dybro
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Patent number: 6820517Abstract: The pedal crank of the present invention includes a cam having a channel therein, a hub fixed to the shaft of the exercise machine, an arm operable with a cam follower and a pair of rods. The arm includes the pedal or other force applying member of the exercise machine, and the cam follower extends into the channel of the cam. The rods extend from the hub to the arm such that the distance between the hub and the arm may vary according to the length of the rods. The shaft of the exercise machine extends through an eccentric hole in the cam. A pair of channels are machined in either the hub or the arm in which the rods reciprocate. The pedal crank is capable of extension to a maximum length of the rods which corresponds to the range of maximum biomechanical force applied to the leg of the user to the pedal or other force applying member of the exercise machine. The pedal crank then retracts in length on rotation to a point corresponding to the minimum biomechanical force.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Scifit Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael Kent Farney
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Patent number: 6817448Abstract: According to the invention, this system comprises a main device (2) and an auxiliary backup device (3), which comprises: at least one reservoir (10) of lubricating and cooling liquid independent of the main device (2); at least one source (11) of pressurized gas; and at least one spray nozzle (17, 18) which is fed, on the one hand, with lubricating and cooling liquid at a pressure at most equal to 2 bar (2.10−5 pascal) from said reservoir (10) and, on the other hand, with pressurized gas from said source (11), said nozzle being able to spray a mist of lubricating and cooling liquid onto said mechanical assembly (1) so as temporarily to supplement the defective main device (2).Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: EurocopterInventors: Pierre Maret, AndrĂ© Baixas
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Patent number: 6810765Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a lower arm which moves relative to an upper arm to adjust the position of a pedal. A control system includes a sensor and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller determines a position of lower arm based on signals from the sensor and automatically stops movement when the lower arm reaches a stored position or an end of travel without engaging mechanical stops, when sensors indicate that there is a failure in the drive system, and when sensors indicate that a predetermined fore/aft offset between two pedals is not maintained. The controller automatically moves the lower arm to a predetermined position when signals indicate the driver may egress the vehicle. A lock-out switch prevents movement of the lower arm so that the lower arm is not accidentally moved.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Rongjun Zhang, Steven Allen Toelke, Gordon Lloyd Smith, Richard Scott Bigham, Michael William DePotter
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Patent number: 6810999Abstract: A thin coating of a solution containing a low surface energy material is applied on the inner surface of tubing of a condenser or an evaporator of an air conditioning system. The solution is run through the tubing of the heat exchanger and drained. After drying, a monomolecular layer of the low surface energy material in solution remains on the inner surface of the tubing. A polymer with a lower surface energy and chemical and thermal resistance is employed, such as silane, fluorocarbons, polyetheretherketon (PEEK) and polysulfone. The thin coating of the lower surface energy material in solution prevents lubricating oil from the compressor which mixes with the refrigerant from wetting over the inner surface of the tubing, encouraging the formation of oil droplets. By preventing the build up of lubricating oil, heat transfer is improved.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventor: James William Otter
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Patent number: 6810768Abstract: A compliant link has a first member adapted to be connected to a linear actuator and a second member adapted to be connected to a component to be moved by the linear actuator, said members being interconnected by a connecting rod which is moveable relative to both the first and second members, springs acting between the first and second members and the connecting rod to oppose relative movement between the connecting rod and the first and second members when an axial load below a first predetermined value is applied to one of the members.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: John Vivian Comfort, Robert Fischer, Bernhard Boll, Peter Giese
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Patent number: 6810764Abstract: A bicycle speed change control device comprises a housing; a cable control set fastened pivotally with the housing and reversibly supported, the cable control set comprising a first toothed engagement portion, a second toothed engagement portion, and a third toothed engagement portion; a first lever fastened pivotally with the housing and reversibly supported, the first lever having a push member being forced into engagement with the third toothed engagement portion of the cable control set and to further turn the cable control set when the first lever is turned in one direction, the push member being disengaged from the third toothed engagement portion of the cable control set when the first lever reversed; and a second lever fastened pivotally with the housing and reversibly supported, the second lever having a tooth adapted to engage the first toothed engagement portion and second toothed engagement portion of the cable control set selectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Inventor: Chieh-Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 6807738Abstract: A blade gripping mechanism in a heavy duty artistic knife includes a straight handle combined with a first and a second halves and secured by a pair of screws. The straight handle has a tubular projection in front end for elastically disposing a positioning member which has a pair of tenons symmetrically formed on opposing outer peripheries and a rectangular receiving space in rear end for releasably disposing a tool box therein. A head has a first annular ring on rear end sleeved on the tubular projection including two pairs of mortises in an inner flange made engageable with the tenons and an annular gap in communication with a flat gap in the body. A blade rack having a second annular co-axially sleeved on the tubular projection together with the first annular ring and a blade disposing space in side of a flat upright for placing a blade therein. When changing a new blade, press the blade rack downward to have it rotating out of the flat gap and then push it in again after the changing of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Inventors: Shih-Chin Shih, Yin-Hae Huang
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Patent number: 6805023Abstract: An integral rider control device mountable to a handlebar steered vehicle. The control device includes an integral support structure having a left end for receiving a left handgrip and a right end for receiving a right handgrip. A central section is disposed between the left end and the right end. A plurality of non-tubular receptacles are formed in the integral support structure between the left end and the right end thereof. Each of the receptacles are configured to receive a respective piece of equipment. The equipment may include controls, displays or accessories. A connecting member is molded into the central section and outwardly extends from the central section. The connecting member pivotally couples the integral support structure to the vehicle along a steering axis of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventor: Jacques P. Greetis
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Patent number: 6799487Abstract: The adjustable pedal assembly (10) and (12) is characterized by a bushing (50) having a circumferentially flexible configuration for minimizing cocking movement of a pedal lever hub (36) relative to a guide rod. The bushing (50) includes peaks (56) and valleys (58) extending parallel to the bushing axis (B). The bushing (50) includes a pair of bearing straps (60,64) extending partially about the bushing (50) and have a radial thickness filling the radial distance between the peaks (56) and valleys (58). The bearing straps (60,64) are aligned to extend across the axis of the pedal lever (38) for reacting to loads placed on the hub (36) by the pedal lever (38). The bushing (50) includes a slit (62,66) extending circumferentially adjacent each of the straps (60,64) to allow the peaks (56) and valleys (58) to move circumferentially independently of the straps (60,64).Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Teleflex IncorporationInventors: Nathan L. Garland, Andrew James Volker
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Patent number: 6799661Abstract: A device for lubricating cables having a container in which a cable and oil are placed. Pressurized air is then introduced into the container to lubricate the cable.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Inventor: Thomas Gene Tapscott, Jr.
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Patent number: 6793042Abstract: A lubrication system for lubricating gas turbine engine components and accessory components separately comprises first and second lubricant circulating circuits for separately feeding lubricant to the engine components and the accessory components. The system further includes a supply tank with first and second separate chambers respectively connected in fluid flow communication with the first and second lubricant circulating circuits. A filler port is defined in the tank for allowing the first chamber to be filled with lubricant. A filling and level maintaining circuit is connected to the first lubricant circulating circuit for directing a portion of the lubricant fluid pumped from the first chamber into the second chamber, thereby obviating the need for a second filler port.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Sylvain Brouillet
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Patent number: 6792825Abstract: A cable operated bicycle shift control device has an outer casing with a cable receiving bore and an access opening for accessing a cable operated winding mechanism to perform maintenance such as replacement of the cable. The cable operated winding mechanism is disposed in the outer casing such that its cable attachment point is disposed relative to the access opening to be accessible from the access opening. A maintenance cover movably is coupled to the outer casing between a closed position overlying the access opening and an open position exposing the access opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Tatsuya Kawakami