Patents Examined by Christopher Schwartz
  • Safety lock device for pump-jack
    Patent number: 9574625
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a safety lock device, for use with a pump-jack having a gear box and at least one rotating member, the safety lock device comprising an engagement member suitable for securely engaging the rotating member to prevent further substantial rotation of said rotating member and a mounting frame to mount the safety lock device to the gear box. The engagement member may be actuated between a locked position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ATABEC SAFETY LOCK CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Beck, Daniel Atwater
  • Brake caliper
    Patent number: 9574631
    Abstract: A brake caliper of a hydraulic brake system comprises several pistons, each of which is slidably disposed in a cylinder along the axis of the cylinder, several brake pads that are forced against a brake disk by the pistons upon actuation of the brake, and at least one spring device having a base and opposite legs that extend from the base to the brake pads. The opposite legs extend from a side of the base to a brake pad that is disposed on the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Ruopp
  • Electric parking brake device
    Patent number: 9566956
    Abstract: At the connection region (connection mechanism of a parking lever and an electric actuator, a first connection pin is fitted in the end of a shaft member, is orthogonal to the shaft member, and is disposed parallel to the support shaft of the parking lever. A second connection pin is fitted in the swinging end of the parking lever and is parallel to the first connection pin. A connection member is rotatable with respect to the end of the shaft member in the circumferential direction of the first connection pin at a first hole where the connection member is fitted on the first connection pin, is rotatable with respect to the parking lever in the circumferential direction of the second connection pin at a second hole where the connection member is fitted on the second connection pin, and connects the two pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Koga, Jin Yamada, Yoshikazu Tachiiri, Keiichi Shino
  • Fluid-filled vibration damping device
    Patent number: 9566856
    Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration damping device including: a first mounting member; a second mounting member; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the first and second mounting members; a pressure-receiving chamber whose wall is partially constituted by the main rubber elastic body; an equilibrium chamber whose wall is partially constituted by a flexible film, the pressure-receiving chamber and equilibrium chamber being filled with a non-compressible fluid; and an orifice passage which connects the pressure-receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber to each other. A turbulence generating part is formed in a middle portion of the orifice passage in a length direction causing turbulence to be generated depending on a flow rate of a flowing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Furumachi, Takayoshi Yasuda, Takeshi Kuniya
  • Clip for use in a disc brake assembly and disc brake assembly including such a clip
    Patent number: 9568055
    Abstract: This invention relates to a brake clip for use with a disc brake assembly. The brake clip includes a U-shaped section having a base leg with opposing first and second legs extending from the base leg. An abutment leg extends from at least one of the first and second legs of the U-shaped section. An extension leg extends from the abutment leg. The abutment leg is in contact with an anchor bracket of the disc brake assembly and the extension leg is in contact with a brake pad of the disc brake assembly when the brake clip is disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Harry Miller, Mauro Marconcin, Kraig Gerber, Joseph Willey, Eduardo Morais
  • Electronic parking brake
    Patent number: 9568057
    Abstract: An electronic parking brake (EPB) may include: a housing unit; a motor unit installed in the housing unit; a deceleration unit connected to the motor unit so as to transfer power; a spindle unit connected to the deceleration unit so as to receive power from the deceleration unit, and moving a brake pad; a locking unit mounted in the housing unit and having a length which is adjusted to restrict operation of the motor unit; a sensing unit sensing an operation state of the motor unit; and a control unit receiving a sensing signal of the sensing unit and a parking signal, and controlling the operation of the motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Sik Kwon, Jong Sung Kim
  • Braking system including first and second brake pressure generator as well as a method for operating such a braking system
    Patent number: 9561787
    Abstract: A hydraulic braking system is provided as well as a method, relating to a master brake cylinder, a first brake pressure generator, as well as a wheel brake cylinder. The braking system includes a second brake pressure generator which is connected to the at least one wheel brake cylinder. The master brake cylinder is hydraulically connectable to the at least one wheel brake cylinder via the second brake pressure generator. This has the advantage that a secure braking system may be provided including one additional fallback level, hydraulically via the driver as well as by providing a second, additional brake pressure generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Quirant, Karl-Heinz Willmann, Urs Bauer
  • Vibration isolating bushing
    Patent number: 9562586
    Abstract: To suppress a decrease in durability due to abrasion or breakage caused by a reduction of a supporting area of a stopper at the time a wrench is inputted. An inner cylinder and an outer cylinder are connected by an insulator. An inner cylinder side stopper of concave curve surface is formed on an outer circumference of an intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder. On the other hand, an outer cylinder side stopper that projects toward the inner cylinder side stopper is provided on an outside of the inner cylinder side stopper. The outer cylinder side stopper is relatively moved in a recessed space of the inner cylinder side stopper so as to regulate the reduction of the supporting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: YAMASHITA RUBBER KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirokazu Kadowaki
  • Safety device for a cable stretching machine, corresponding method and stretching machine using said device
    Patent number: 9556919
    Abstract: Safety device for a stretching machine of the brake type comprising a negative brake which can be selectively activated and de-activated so as to constrain and respectively allow the rotation of at least one capstan which supports cables, a pumping device connected to the negative brake and configured to de-activate the latter during the normal use of the stretching machine, putting a working fluid under pressure, pressure energy accumulation means of said working fluid, and a maximum pressure valve configured to regulate the working pressure of a hydraulic motor for controlling the twisting torque applied to the capstan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TESMEC SPA
    Inventors: Maurizio Vitali, Alberto Oscar
  • Hydraulic unit for vehicle brake apparatus
    Patent number: 9555791
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit for a vehicle brake apparatus having a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder includes a housing formed with a pipe line connecting between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder, a pump disposed in the housing for sucking and discharging a brake fluid to boost pressure of the brake fluid, and a reservoir piston disposed in a hole formed in the housing so as to be movable slidably back and forth, the reservoir piston partitioning a reservoir chamber within the hole for temporarily storing the brake fluid discharged from the wheel cylinder. The hydraulic unit further includes a cover disposed in the hole to close one end on an atmospheric side of the hole, the cover being formed with a fluid reservoir chamber for storing the brake fluid leaking from the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Koyama, Shin Sasaki, Jun Oonishi
  • Parking device for vehicle
    Patent number: 9555777
    Abstract: A parking device for a vehicle has a parking rod which is movably driven from a position in which a parking gear is engaged to a position in which the engagement of the parking gear is released, a rotational lever which movably drives the parking rod, a drive device which rotationally drives the rotational lever, an elastic member which urges the rotational lever in a direction opposite from a direction in which the rotational lever is rotationally driven, and engagement device having an engaging portion in which the engaging portion is engaged with an engaged portion, in a position where the parking gear is engaged, which is provided at an end surface of the rotational lever which follows the radial direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadamasa Takei, Kenichi Naka, Akihito Iwata
  • Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper
    Patent number: 9550405
    Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Disc brake assembly with guide pin locating feature
    Patent number: 9551387
    Abstract: A vehicle disc brake assembly comprises a brake caliper and an anchor bracket. The brake caliper has a lug, a bore, an opening, a fastener, and a guide pin. The lug has first and second side faces. The bore extends from the first side face to the second side face. The opening is to the bore at the first side face. The fastener has a transition portion between a bolt stem and a bolt head. The transition portion is fitted to the opening. The guide pin is attached to the fastener. The anchor bracket is supported on the guide pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Smith, Antonio Eduardo Morais, Sky Lintner
  • Method for controlling a brake system, brake system, and use
    Patent number: 9545906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, wherein an electrically operated actuator of a vehicle brake system is controlled in accordance with a braking demand of a vehicle control system, such as occurs in electronic stability control. According to the invention, a supply voltage of the vehicle electrical system applied to the electrically operated actuator is increased if at least one specified condition is met. Thus, the pressure build-up by a hydraulic pump can e.g. be accelerated during emergency braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Tim Zimmermann, Thomas Bauer, Dieter Maus
  • Dual stage shock strut with removable second stage fluid chamber
    Patent number: 9541151
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a two stage shock strut for use in a landing gear assembly may comprise a first cylinder, a fill port, a first stage piston head, a second cylinder, a second stage piston head, and a bleed tube. The first cylinder may define a first volume. The fill port valve may be in fluid communication with the first cylinder and configured to receive hydraulic fluid. The first stage piston head may be in fluid communication with the first volume. The second cylinder may comprise a metering pin. The metering pin may be in fluid communication with the first volume and a second volume defined by the second cylinder. The metering pin may be configured to receive the hydraulic fluid from the first volume and purge gas from the second volume. The second stage piston head may be in fluid communication with the second volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis W. Martin, James P. Acks
  • System for improving performance of wheel chock safety procedures
    Patent number: 9539995
    Abstract: A wheel chock system includes a chock, a sensor disposed within the chock to sense the proximity to the tire, an outside light box, and an inside control panel. Lamps on the outside light box provide a visual indication as to when the chock is in close proximity to the wheel. Lights on the inside control panel provide a visual indication of the loading dock safety status. The wheel chock system further includes a controller coupled to the inside control panel, programmed to change visual indications of both the outside light signal box and the inside control panel, based at least on the sensor and a loading dock door sensor. The wheel chock system further includes a camera positioned to view the tire and the chock and convey an image of the tire and the chock to a display on or near the inside control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Donald L. Metz, Joshua L. Eppley
  • Low pressure high compression damping monotube shock absorber
    Patent number: 9533538
    Abstract: A monotube shock absorber which is capable of high compression damping forces while operating at low pressure for reduced friction is disclosed. The monotube shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a piston assembly, a piston rod, a fixed valve assembly and a floating piston. A variety of methods for securing the fixed valve assembly to the pressure tube are disclosed including use of single piece pressure tubes and pressure tube assemblies. In addition, a method for assembling the monotube shock absorber including an oil filling technique is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Operating Automotive Company Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Keil, Thomas Mallin, Zachary Lopez
  • Brake device for vehicle
    Patent number: 9533665
    Abstract: A master cylinder includes pressurizing chambers and atmospheric pressure chambers which are in communication with a reservoir provided upstream. The pressurizing chambers of the master cylinder are connected to a brake fluid pressure control valve device through master pressure pipes provided with master cut valves. The atmospheric pressure chambers of the master cylinder bypass the master cut valves and are connected to the brake fluid pressure control valve device through bypass pipes provided with check valves. A pump constituting a brake fluid pressurizing section of the brake hydraulic control valve device suctions the brake fluid from the reservoir preferentially through the bypass pipes provided with the check valves and pressurizes the brake fluid to supply a brake fluid pressure to brake fluid pressure adjust sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazunori Nimura, Hiroshi Nakaoka
  • Disc brake for a motor vehicle, comprising a plastically deformable restoring spring, and restoring spring
    Patent number: 9528564
    Abstract: A disc brake for a motor vehicle brake system and a restoring spring arranged therein, the disc brake comprising the following: a brake support which has at least one receiving region; a brake lining arrangement which has a brake lining support and a brake lining which is attached to the brake lining support and which can be brought into interaction with a brake disc in order to achieve a braking effect, wherein the brake lining arrangement is received in the at least one receiving region in a guided manner via a guiding portion formed on the brake lining support; and at least one restoring spring which engages the brake lining arrangement and biases the brake lining arrangement under elastic deformation into a starting position that does not produce a braking effect. The at least one restoring spring can be plastically deformed in order to compensate for brake lining wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Mallmann
  • Brake device
    Patent number: 9527486
    Abstract: The present invention provides a brake device that can improve the pressure-increasing response of wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure. The invention is provided with: a master cylinder (5) actuated by the driver operating the brake, the master cylinder (5) being connected to a wheel cylinder (8) via a first oil channel (11), and capable of increasing the wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure; and an auxiliary pressure-increasing part (auxiliary pressure-increasing part (106) and stroke simulator (27)) for assisting in the increasing of the wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure by the master cylinder (5) of the pump (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Maruo, Masayuki Saito, Chiharu Nakazawa, Toshiya Oosawa, Asahi Watanabe, Hiroki Sonoda