Patents Examined by Chris Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7347510
    Abstract: In a brake force generator (10) for a vehicle hydraulic brake system having a force input element (14), which is connectable or connected to a brake pedal (P) and displaceable in a base housing of the brake force generator (10), a master cylinder, in which a primary piston (64) is displaceably guided for generating a hydraulic brake pressure, a pedal counterforce simulating device (105) connected to the force input element (14), a pedal actuation detecting device (150) for detecting a pedal actuation, and an actuating force generating device for exerting an actuating force on the primary piston (64), it is provided that the actuating force generating device comprises a control valve (22), a chamber arrangement (16) and an electromagnetic actuator (48), wherein the chamber arrangement (16) is designed with a vacuum chamber (30) and a working chamber (32), which is separated from the vacuum chamber (30) by a movable wall (28) and is fluidically connectable to the vacuum chamber (30) by the control valve (22), a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Schlüter
  • Patent number: 7331434
    Abstract: An impact absorber is provided for absorbing impact forces especially in case of a collision of a motor vehicle. The impact absorber includes an inner tube (1), which can be pushed into an outer tube (2) in a telescopic manner and which is closed with a bottom plate (3) at its free end projecting from the outer tube (2). Starting from the bottom plate (3) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the impact absorber, a gas space (5) filled with pressurized gas and a first, a fluid-filled liquid space (7), which is separated from the gas space (5) by a wall (6) displaceable in the inner tube (1), are arranged in the interior of the inner tube (1). The liquid space (7) is in connection through a throttle element with a second, fluid-filled liquid space (13), which adjoins the first liquid space (7) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) and is closed by a piston (9) fixed in the outer tube (2) towards the free end of the outer tube (2) in a liquid-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Guido Steinbach
  • Patent number: 7325658
    Abstract: An actuating unit for an electromechanically actuatable disk brake for motor vehicles consists essentially of a drive unit (1), i.e., an electric motor (11); an actuating element (7), by means of which one (4) of two friction linings (4, 5) mounted with limited freedom of movement in a brake caliper can be brought into engagement with a brake disk (6); and a first and a second reducing gear (2, 3). An electronic controller (8), which serves to drive the electric motor (11), is assigned to the actuating unit. To realize an actuating unit of compact axial dimensions which is also optimally designed with respect to packaging, at least part of the electronic controller (8) is mounted between the electric motor (11) and the housing (25) which holds the second reducing gear (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Georg Halasy-Wimmer, Paul Linhoff, Bernhard Schmittner, Jürgen Fölkel, John Miessner
  • Patent number: 7320388
    Abstract: A two-stage shock absorber has a pressure tube within which a valve assembly is slidably disposed. A piston rod is attached to the valve assembly and extends out of the pressure tube. A ring is slidably disposed within the pressure tube and engages the valve assembly. After a specified amount of movement of the valve assembly with respect to the pressure tube in an extension movement of the shock absorber, the sleeve engages a plurality of spirally positioned bores and reduces the fluid flow through the valve assembly to progressively switch the shock absorber from soft damping to firm damping. In another embodiment the sleeve engages a spiral groove of variable depth to reduce the fluid flow through the valve assembly to progressively switch the shock absorber from soft damping to firm damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Simon A de Molina
  • Patent number: 7318583
    Abstract: A method of making a curved compression spring comprising the steps of: providing a monolithic preform having first and second end portions with a curved mid-portion therebetween, with the preform being formed from an elastomer which is free of spring-like characteristics, and with the preform having an initial predetermined length defined by a longitudinal distance between first and second end portions, and wherein the elastomer from which the preform is formed has a molecular structure along with a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain greater than 1.5 to 1; and, working the preform so as to orient the molecular structure of the elastomer in at least one direction while transmuting the preform into a compression spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Miner Elastomer Products Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Kerr, Michael P. Molitor
  • Patent number: 7314122
    Abstract: A bicycle brake shoe assembly including multiple brake pads of different braking compounds replaceably inserted sequentially into a truncated pad holder. The pads have an overlap at one end and an under-lap at the other end such that upon assembly within the holder an overlap portion is mated over an under-lap portion. The pads are captured and retained in place in the truncated holder by a removable end cap. The overlap/under-lap pad mating cooperates with the pad holder and end cap to prevent pad pull out because of wheel rim movement forces on the pads. The brake shoe assembly has a transverse curvature substantially in conformance with the radius of curvature of the bicycle wheel rim, thereby improving pad contact with the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Richard C. Everett, Randall Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 7311364
    Abstract: A micro processor based electric brake controller includes a multi-axis accelerometer that senses deceleration of a towing vehicle along a plurality of directional axes. The controller also includes a microprocessor that is responsive to the sensed decelerations to supply power to trailer brakes that is a function of the deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hayes Brake Controller Company, LLC
    Inventor: Charles L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7306080
    Abstract: A system is provided for absorbing energy from impacts to a vehicle, the system comprising: a blow molded energy absorbing member. The member including first and second opposing walls, at least one rib or a pair of ribs disposed between said first and second opposing walls, the rib(s) comprising the first and second opposing walls dented toward other wall with top end part either welded or separated with specified interval. In one embodiment, the energy absorbing member is formed of thermoplastics composed of a polyolefin based resin and 50 to 75% weight of an amorphous resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kyoraku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Tamada, Hiroo Inui, Kiyotaka Urakawa, Kenji Ishii, Tadatoshi Tanji
  • Patent number: 7306209
    Abstract: A hydraulically damping rubber bush bearing suitable for absorbing cardanic loads in the vertical installed position and yet has a simple geometry and construction. The bearing has chambers receiving the damping agent and has an undercut in the direction of the bearing axis at least in the area of one of their axial ends. An inner cage and the elastomeric bearing body are axially shortened in the corresponding circumferential section compared to the rest of their circumferential sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Vossel, Klaus Kramer
  • Patent number: 7299903
    Abstract: A brake pad clip for a disc brake assembly is disposed between a caliper member and a brake pad. A U-shaped section includes a base portion with opposing symmetrical leg portions extending at substantially right angles from the base portion. The U-shaped section is adapted to receive a portion of a brake pad therebetween. A first abutment portion extends from the base portion in an opposing direction from the leg portions. A second abutment portion is in spaced relation to the first abutment portion and extends from the base portion in an opposing direction of the leg portions. The first abutment portion and the second abutment portion are adapted to receive a portion of a caliper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Todd Rockwell, James Bergman
  • Patent number: 7258330
    Abstract: An air spring device characterized in that a cover encloses a pot-shaped basic component and a separate connecting component with a first connecting region for one end of a bellows. The basic component and the connecting component are in direct contact with one another. In a region of the cover there is also provided, as a separate component, a holder for a protective collar. The holder is in direct contact with the connecting component. A common tightening ring, the two ends of which are fastened to each other by a connection, hold together, from the outside and in sealing manner, the basic component, the connecting component, and the protective collar holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Ingo Harms, Peter Kobs, Michael Weber
  • Patent number: 7243563
    Abstract: A friction applying apparatus and a linear guide apparatus having the same, according to the present invention can uniformly contact allover contacting faces of sliding members to the contacted members so as to reduce abrasion in the sliding members and the contacted members, and may maintain appropriate frictional force and precision. In the friction applying apparatus forcing the sliding members moving along guide rails for generating friction, the sliding member is made of a material having elastic modulus being 5000 MPa or less and Vickers hardness being 400 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Soichiro Kato, Masaru Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7240773
    Abstract: A disc brake, particularly for commercial vehicles, is provided having a caliper reaching over a brake disc, a brake application device arranged in the caliper for applying the brake, as well as an adjusting system arranged in the caliper for compensating brake pad and/or disc wear by adjusting the distance between the brake pad and the brake disc. The caliper has a two-part construction including an application-side caliper part and a reaction-side caliper part. The reaction-side caliper part is designed such that it frames the brake disc in its upper circumferential area. The adjusting system has at least one or more adjusting devices also arranged on the reaction side of the brake disc, and preferably on each side of the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 7240971
    Abstract: A rolling motion stability control apparatus restrains a roll increasing tendency of a vehicle, with each wheel of the vehicle being braked by a wheel brake device. A first braking force control device is provided for applying a first braking force to the wheel, when the vehicle is turned to one direction. A second braking force control device is provided for applying a second braking force to the wheel, when the vehicle is turned to the other direction. A terminating control adjustment device is provided for adjusting the braking force control devices to continue the first braking force being applied, until the second braking force is initiated to be applied, when the vehicle is turned to the one direction, and then to the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Toshihisa Kato, Hiroshi Matsuoka, Junya Nagaya
  • Patent number: 7232191
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicle stability includes a pressure calculator calculating a brake pressure. In one embodiment, the calculated brake pressure is calculated based on a yaw rate signal input from a yaw rate sensor. In other embodiments, the calculated brake pressure is further calculated on the basis of signals input from a steering angle sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, a vehicle speeds sensor, and a master brake pressure sensor. A method for controlling vehicle stability is also provided. The method and apparatus enhances stability and reliability during vehicle driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyo Il Lee, Young Man Cho, Jin-Oh Hahn, Seung Han You, Seung Jin Yoo
  • Patent number: 7213800
    Abstract: A shock mount to support the static weight of a housing while at the same time effectively attenuating shock or vibration imparted to the housing with the shock mount having a shock isolator for supporting the weight of the display and a bezel extending around the display with the bezel comprising a second shock an d vibration isolator that coacts with the first shock set of shock isolators to further attenuate shock and vibration forces to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert James Monson, Julia Ann Neuman
  • Patent number: 7207238
    Abstract: An easy-installed auxiliary brake control system for driving practice of an automobile by means of an auxiliary brake actuator and two-component cables. The cables have an outer sheath portion and an inner cable portion. It connects an auxiliary brake actuator to a brake arm of the automobile. The auxiliary brake actuator rests on a floor of a passenger compartment of the automobile, without necessity of being secured to it. When an instructor acts on the auxiliary brake actuator, the brake arm is actuated through relative movement between the inner cable portion and the outer sheath portion of the cables. This system is significantly cheaper than prior arts, especially for installation, and damages on the automobile for installation are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Zhide Feng
  • Patent number: 7204565
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrohydraulic assembly for an electronically controlled brake system with an accommodating member which includes accommodating bores for electrohydraulic valves, accommodating bores for hydraulic supply devices and an accommodating bore for at least one roller bearing, and with hydraulic channels and pressure fluid ports, as well as with an electric motor comprising a rotor with a shaft that is mounted with the roller bearing in the associated accommodating bore in the accommodating member and used to drive the supply devices, and with an electronic control unit being connected to the electric motor by means of a plug penetrating a through-bore in the accommodating member. The objective is to provide a safe and comfortable operating characteristics even in consideration of extreme environmental influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Axel Hinz, Stefan A. Schmitt, Martin Baechle, Uwe Greiff, Ronald Kley, Michael Hitzel
  • Patent number: 7198138
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the fluid powered brake systems of vehicles using brake drum and lined brake shoes internally expanded by cam. The invented device automatically adjusts the slack, which develops due to the wearing of brake liners and the drum. When the angular movement of the Lever Housing (1) exceeds the desired limit due to the wear, the internal device adjusts the excess clearance of slack automatically. The parts consist of a Worm Wheel (3); an enmeshing Worm Shaft (4); a Paul (6); a Leaf Spring (1); a Ratchet cylinder (5); an Acuator Rod (7); a Guide (9); an End Connector (8); a Clevis (2); and Clevis Pins (2A) and 2(B). When brakes are applied, the Actuator Rod (7) gets pulled out and engages the Paul (6) with the Ratchet cylinder (5). On the return stroke the Paul (6) rotates the worm shaft (4) which in turn rotates the worm wheel (3) and the attached cam thereby removing the slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: ANG Automotive India Private Limited
    Inventors: Premjit Singh Chadha, Nirmal Bhagat Choudhary
  • Patent number: 7198140
    Abstract: A controllable brake includes a rotor supported on one shaft end. The rotor is housed within a chamber containing a field controllable material which is acted upon by a magnetic field generator to change the rheology of the material and thereby impede movement of the rotor. The shaft is supported by two bearings which, in combination with the housing define a second housing chamber adapted to enclose means for monitoring and/or controlling the brake and in this way, an integrated, compact controllable brake is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Jolly, Robert H. Marjoram, Steve Koester, Kenneth A. St. Clair