Patents Examined by Chong H. Kim
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Patent number: 7028581Abstract: The present invention consists of a new and unique ergonomic handgrip with separate ulnar and radial support means that divides the pressure between the heel of the hand and the thumb area along with removing the pressure in the central palmer crease at the joining of the wrist. This is accomplished by using a dog-bone shape with an ulnar or heel support area having a cavity conforming to the shape of the heel of the hand and a radial or thumb support with a cavity conforming to the shape of the thumb of the hand where it joins the wrist. The ulnar or heel support and the radial or thumb support are angled so as to keep the wrist in a neutral position in relation to the device and are divided by a median groove that blends up into the gripping area of the device. The median groove maintains a space between the device and the carpel tunnel or central palmer area of the hand.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Inventors: Thomas D. Williams, Steven M. Gootter
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Patent number: 7025176Abstract: A bolt greaser unit for lubricating the exposed top ends of anchor bolts that secure the base tower of wind generators to the foundation that is formed in the ground. The bolt greaser unit has a vertically oriented tubular housing having a base member secured to its bottom end and a circular cap member detachably secured to its top end. The interior chamber of the tubular housing has a plurality of vertically oriented rod members having their bottom ends screwed into the top surface of the base member. Each rod member has a brush member telescopically received thereon. The top end of the rod members pass through apertures in the circular cap member and are secured in position by nuts. A universal joint structure is fixedly secured to the top surface of the cap member and it has a four sided shank portion extending upwardly that is telescopically received in the bore hole of a socket mounted on the drive shaft of a cordless power tool that would be used to rotate the bolt greaser unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Inventor: Norman L. Tooman
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Patent number: 7024962Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly includes a cleat, a front cleat-retaining member, and a rear cleat-retaining member. The front cleat-retaining member is formed integrally with a pedal body, is generally inverted U-shaped, and includes a thin middle portion and two thick side portions, among which a limiting groove is defined under the thin middle portion. The cleat has a front end engaging portion with a wide lower portion inserted into the groove and confined between inclined limiting surfaces of the thick side portions, and a narrow upper portion abutting against an arcuate concave limiting surface of the thin middle portion. Two arcuate convex connecting surfaces connect the inclined limiting surfaces to the arcuate concave limiting surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Inventor: Chung-I Chen
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Patent number: 7025175Abstract: An vent mechanism comprising an upper housing, a lower housing, a diaphragm comprising a diaphram contact contained between the housings, an upper contact, an insulator insulating the upper contact from the upper housing, and an internal ground wire between the diaphram contact and the lower housing. When used as part of a electrical circuit with an indicator, the diaphram senses oil vapor pressure build up. When a given level of pressure is obtained, the diaphram contact moves against the upper contact and the vent mechanism is grounded, completing the electrical circuit, enabling the indicator to function as intended.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Inventor: Kevin M. Pate
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Patent number: 7021425Abstract: A sealed electric compressor for use in, for example, an electric refrigerator, generates a little noise and can feed any moving part of its compressing element with refrigerator lubricant. An oil pickup tube is joined by insertion to the lowermost end of a crank shaft and includes a first centrifugal pumping portion and a second centrifugal pumping portion provided continuously and arranged at a smaller angle than that of the first centrifugal pumping portion. The second centrifugal pumping portion arranged at a smaller angle can spin in a pool of the refrigerator lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration CompanyInventors: Kazuhito Noguchi, Akihiko Kubota, Masahiko Osaka, Manabu Motegi, Hidetoshi Nishihara
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Patent number: 7017441Abstract: A vehicle pedal device including: a depressable portion which is to be operationally depressed by a driver of the vehicle; an output member which is pivotably supported by a supporting shaft provided in a bracket that is fixed to a body of the vehicle, such that the output member is pivoted about the supporting shaft when the depressable portion is operationally depressed, for thereby applying to a motive-power transmitting member an output corresponding to a depression force which is applied to the depressable portion; a longitudinal adjustment device which moves the depressable portion in a longitudinal direction of the body of the vehicle when the depressable portion is not being operationally depressed; and a pedal-ratio varying mechanism which is disposed between the output member and the motive-power transmitting member, and which is capable of adjusting a pedal ratio of the pedal device.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Hayashihara, Akihiko Fukase, Nobuyuki Kikukawa, Daisuke Nakamura
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Patent number: 7017440Abstract: An electrical control device for a motor-driven derailleur for bicycles. The control device has a supporting body adapted for attachment to the handlebars of the bicycle. A brake lever is mounted on the supporting body so that it can oscillate. A pair of switches, for controlling gear change, are carried by the supporting body. The switches are preferably mounted on a supporting plate that is located on the supporting body. Preferably, the switches are pre-assembled on the support plate before the plate is positioned on the supporting body.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventor: Valentino Campagnolo
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Patent number: 7013754Abstract: A bicycle pedal adapter and bicycle pedal assembly is disclosed for use on a bicycle having a crank arm and a clipless bicycle pedal supported by the crank arm, wherein the pedal includes engagement structure engageable with a shoe having complementary structure for fixing the shoe to the pedal. In one embodiment, the bicycle pedal adapter includes a first portion engaging the clipless bicycle pedal and covering at least a portion of the engagement structure to eliminate the need for the shoe having the complementary structure. A second portion is coupled to the first portion. The clipless bicycle pedal is received in a cavity defined between the first and second portions. At least one engagement surface is formed on at least one of the first and second portions, wherein the at least one engagement surface is engageable with a shoe not having the complementary structure to pedal the bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Inventor: Todd Milanowski
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Patent number: 7013752Abstract: A rotatable knob for fixation of an apparatus support includes a knob shell (1), a coupling part (2) for the connection of the knob shell to the spindle, a sleeve (3) which is connectable to the housing, a cover disc (4) which is secured by the sleeve (3) to the housing, a screw (5) arranged in the knob shell (1) for the setting of the holding force and a clamping disc (6) which cooperates with the knob shell (1) and the sleeve (3). The clamping disc (6) is guided in the knob shell (1) and is rotatably arranged on the sleeve (3) so that, on rotation of the knob shell, (1) the clamping disc (6) executes a synchronous rotary movement with the knob shell (1) and the linear movement with respect to the knob shell (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Inventor: Philippe Vogt
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Patent number: 7013755Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly includes a pair of pedals and a pair of cleats. The cleats are configured and arranged to selectively cooperate with the right and left bicycle pedals such that two different release forces can be attained using a single pair of cleats. The pedal includes a body that rotates about a shaft and a front and rear clamping members are coupled to opposite ends of the pedal body. Also, the front and rear clamping members are preferably pivotally coupled to the pedal body.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Tsutomu Muraoka
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Patent number: 7013751Abstract: A bicycle shift control device includes a fixed member and a rotatable member rotatably coupled to the fixed member for rotation around a handlebar between at least two shift positions. The fixed member is adapted to be coupled to the handlebar adjacent a hand gripping area of the handlebar. The rotatable member has inner and outer axial ends with a tubular outer actuating surface extending between the inner and outer ends and around a center longitudinal axis of the hand gripping area. The actuating surface is configured to define a tubular hand grip with a finger operating projection extending outwardly relative to the tubular hand grip. The actuating surface includes a first portion constructed of a first material and a second portion constructed of a second material more rigid than the first material. The second portion has the finger operating projection.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Alexander Hilsky, Masao Kojima
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Patent number: 7011339Abstract: A pedal bracket structure wherein a pedal lever is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the rear end portion of a pedal bracket fixed to a toe board at the front end portion thereof, a rigidity supplementing portion is formed in the vicinity of the aforesaid front end portion and a brittle portion is formed at the rear end portion of the rigidity supplementing portion. Only with a simple structural modification in which the rigidity supplementing portion is provided contiguously with the brittle portion formed to promote the absorption of impact by deformation between a mounting portion to the toe board and the brittle portion. While the pedal bracket is made to deform longitudinally easily through the formation of the brittle portion, the pedal bracket provides such a superior rigid feeling that the driver feels no uncertainty in operating the pedal.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takamune Oono, Osamu Saito, Masashi Ishida, Hitoshi Harashima
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Patent number: 7011183Abstract: An apparatus and system for immediately lubricating a compressor within a compressor system using a suction oil line apparatus. The compressor system comprises a compressor, a power source for operating the compressor, a tank capable of storing oil therein, a conventional oil line, and a suction oil line apparatus. The suction oil line apparatus can comprise a suction oil line and a valve. When the power source is actuated, gas is introduced into a suction cavity within the compressor, drawn into a compression chamber within the compressor, and compressed. The compressed gas is discharged into a tank thereby elevating a tank pressure. The elevated tank pressure causes the oil within the tank to be transported through the suction oil line. Transportation of the oil through the suction oil line permits immediate lubrication of the compressor to occur following start-up of the compressor, immediate being from about one second to about one minute.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Vilter Manufacturing LLCInventor: Jean-Louis Picouet
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Patent number: 7007569Abstract: A telescoping lever arm comprises a tube and a rod. The tube has an opening at one end thereof and has an inner circumferential dimension along the inside thereof. The opening is smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube. The rod has an outer circumferential dimension that is smaller than that of the tube's opening. The rod resides partially in the tube and extends therefrom via the tube's opening. At least one annular flange is coupled to the rod at a portion thereof residing in the tube. Each such annular flange is defined by a circumferential dimension that is larger than that of the tube's opening and smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Richard Jermyn
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Patent number: 7004048Abstract: A steering handle includes a hub mounted to a steering shaft and a pair of grips mounted to the left and right of the hub. The left and right grips are gripped by a driver for steering. The left and right grips are radially slidable with respect to the hub. This allows the wheel diameter to be changed for application to various types of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahide Kobayashi, Tatsuki Miyashita, Katsutoshi Noguchi, Ichiro Tobisawa
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Patent number: 7000500Abstract: A bicycle pedal has a foot-supporting portion and a retainer that includes flexible first and second retaining bands, an elongated resilient connecting member, and a flexible sleeve. The first and second retaining bands extend respectively from two opposite sides of the foot-supporting portion. The connecting member has two ends fastened respectively to the first and second retaining bands so that engagement band portions of the first and second retaining bands are movable away from each other. The sleeve is disposed around the engagement band portions of the first and second retaining bands. When one foot of a rider is inserted into a space between the sleeve and the foot-supporting portion, the connecting member is stretched automatically to an extent corresponding to the size of the foot so as to clamp the foot between the sleeve and the foot-supporting portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Johnson Tech. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nathan Pyles, Matthew J. Poster, Chris Cox, Joe Newman
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Patent number: 6997082Abstract: An adjustable bed includes a universal, or interchangeable, bed end that can be used at either end of the bed and can be connected with an existing motor drive assembly. The bed end may include a gear box having first and second input shafts that are selectively covered by a movable cover. The bed end may include a frame having drain openings for draining water from the bed end when the bed end is washed. The bed end may also include an end cap that is fastened to the frame in a unique manner, and that helps to maintain a panel of the bed end cover in a curved or bowed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Invacare IncorporatedInventors: Steven Snyder, Howard Loewenthal, Andrew Spriegel, Gerold Goertzen, Robert Puckett, Kevin Wysocki
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Patent number: 6997284Abstract: In a driven axle assembly (12) for a motor vehicle that includes a differential housing located substantially in the center of the axle and tubes (16, 17) extending laterally from the differential, surrounding axle shafts (20) and opening into a lubricant reservoir (60) in the differential housing, a system for circulating and cooling axle lubricant includes a cover (26) for closing and sealing the housing having a first aperture into the housing where a ring gear rotates through the lubricant reservoir. The aperture in the cover opens to a chamber that holds lubricant carried through the aperture by the rotating ring gear. Conduit (72) connected by a hydraulic fitting to the chamber has its opposite end connected to an oil cooler mounted on the axle tube. Conduit (78) returns the lubricant to the reservoir in the differential housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Spicer Technology, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Nahrwold
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Patent number: 6997081Abstract: A method is provided to mount a terminal connector, which gathers wirings that extend from a control valve unit, to a transmission case, which includes a mount portion with a mount hole, and which encloses the control valve unit. The method includes: (a) inserting the terminal connector into the mount hole until a portion of the terminal connector projects outwardly from the mount hole, and (b) outwardly pulling the inserted terminal connector from an outside of the transmission case to thereby mount the terminal connector to the mount portion. A structure includes: (a) a connector mounting arm of the control valve unit, and (b) the terminal connector mounted into the mount hole of the mount portion. The terminal connector includes a holder portion, which is engaged with the connector mounting arm and which is slidable relative to the connector mounting arm, upon mounting the terminal connector to the mount portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Jatco LTDInventors: Nobufumi Yamane, Hiroki Taniguchi
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Patent number: 6988427Abstract: A seal assembly includes a support, an outer seal extending circumferentially around a radially outer surface of the support, and an inner seal extending circumferentially around a radially inner surface of the support. In a more specific embodiment, the support comprises an annular base member, an inner ledge extending from a radially inner side of the base member, and an outer ledge extending from a radially outer side of the base member. The inner seal is disposed at a radially inner edge of the base member opposite the inner tubular member, and the outer seal is disposed around an outer peripheral surface of the outer tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2001Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Masahiro Yamanaka