Patents Examined by Colby Hansen
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Patent number: 7137741Abstract: A rolling bearing intended for longer life by improving seizure resistance and wear resistance in the circumstance with slip contact or in the circumstance where lubricant tends to be exhausted, which is manufactured by applying carburization or carbonitridation to an Si-added material to disperse and precipitate carbides or carbonitrides containing Si or Si—X (X=one or more of Mn, Mo, and Cr) thereby improving the seizure resistance and the wear resistance by the self-lubrication effect thereof, the size of the carbides or carbonitrides being preferably 10 ?m or less for preventing flaking, and the area ratio for the carbides or carbonitrides being preferably 1.0–30% for obtaining sufficient self-lubrication effect.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Fujita, Youichi Matsumoto, Yasuo Murakami, Nobuaki Mitamura, Shigeru Okita
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Patent number: 7128528Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide: high-reliability and long-life CO2 refrigerant compressor-use bearings that uses bearing materials high in wear resistance and in baking resistance, and; such a compressor, air conditioner, refrigerator, and hot-water supply machine that each employ these bearings.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Takayasu, Noboru Baba, Shouichi Nakashima, Tadashi Iizuka, Toshiaki Yamanaka, Hiroaki Ogura, Toshiomi Fukuda, Shinichi Ozaki
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Patent number: 7121160Abstract: A constant power mechanical transmission with seamless, ripple free, infinitely variable torque multiplying outputs comprises an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is coupled to a pair of oscillating levers whereby rotation of the input shaft causes oscillation of the oscillating levers in opposite directions. The oscillating levers are linked to the output shaft with one-way clutches in order to cause rotation of the shaft upon movement of the oscillating levers. The rotational speed of the output shaft can be infinitely varied by changing the throw of the oscillating levers.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Inventor: Laird B. Gogins
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Patent number: 7117758Abstract: The invention relates to vibration generator for a soil compacting device referred to as a towed vibrating device. The vibration generator has two parallels arranged unbalanced shafts that each support a fixed and a freely rotating unbalanced mass. An unbalance adjusting device enables the position of both freely rotating unbalanced masses to be adjusted in such a manner that, during a maximum unbalance action of one of the unbalanced shafts, the unbalance action on the other unbalanced shaft is minimized. The unbalance adjusting device can alter the position of the unbalanced masses whereby rendering possible a to-and-fro movement of the soil compacting device or a compaction when stationary.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment A.G..Inventor: Franz Riedl
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Patent number: 7117761Abstract: A steering shaft arrangement comprises a first housing (9), which accommodates a contact roller (10), the first housing (9) being divided up into a first and second section (13, 14), of which the first section (13) is connected to a steering shaft (1) and the second section (14) is connected to a steering column (6), fixed in relation to the steering shaft (1), the contact roller (10) comprising at least one electrical conductor, which is arranged between the first and the second section (13, 14). A second housing (11) is divided up into a first and second element (19, 20) of which the first element (19) is connected to the steering shaft (1). The second element (20) of the second housing (11) is detachably connected to the second section (14) of the first housing (9).Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Bjorn Andersson, Bjorn Antonsson
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Patent number: 7114410Abstract: In a select system for an automatic transmission in which switchover between a mechanical automatic mode and an electrical manual mode is achieved by a lateral shift of a select lever, the select lever has an engaging protrusion extending a distance to one side, which remains inserted in an engaging groove opened in a rotatable linkage member. When the select lever is in the automatic mode, the linkage member is rotatable with the lever operation by engagement between the engaging protrusion and a part of the engaging groove so as to achieve mechanical transmission control of the automatic transmission. When the select lever is in the manual mode, the engaging protrusion, while disengaging from the part of the engaging groove, restricts rotation of the linkage member so as to prevent the mechanical transmission control.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kunihiro Nagasawa
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Patent number: 7104699Abstract: A first race component includes a flat, circular raceway portion, defined about an axis, and an axially extending lip portion. A plurality of needle rollers is arranged radially with respect to the axis for rolling contact with the flat raceway. A bearing cage retains the needle rollers and is engageable with the lip portion of the first component for piloting of the bearing cage. A second race component, made of different material, includes a flat portion in contact with the raceway portion of the first race component and a lip portion extending axially and radially from the flat portion and beyond the lip portion of the first race component such that the second race component is engageable by the bearing cage to hold the first race component, the second race component and the bearing cage together as an assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Timken US CorporationInventors: Charles W. Shattuck, Robert D. Richtmeyer, Richard F. Murphy
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Patent number: 7100470Abstract: A gear change device including a shift lever support mechanism arranged in a casing to support a shift lever so as to slide in the axial direction of the casing and to rotate, a select actuator for operating the shift lever support mechanism to slide the shift lever in the axial direction which is the direction of selection, and a shift actuator for rotating the shift lever support mechanism to rotate the shift lever in the direction of shift. The shift actuator has an operation lever, with a base portion mounted on the shift lever support mechanism, and a pair of electromagnetic solenoids arranged facing each other, with the acting portion of the operation lever interposed therebetween. The solenoids are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. A compression spring produces an urging force in the direction of operation of the electromagnetic solenoid which operates upward along the inclination.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Michinobu Suzuki
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Patent number: 7093510Abstract: A linear unit (1) comprising a profiled rail (2) along which a carriage (3) is arranged for sliding motion backwards and forwards by means of a reversible screw (4) which actuates the carriage and on either side of the carriage passes through a bore (7) in a screw support (8). A pull rod (24) displaces the screw support backwards and forwards along the profiled rail between to end stop positions, and the screw support serves as a support bearing carrying the screw between bearings (10) supporting the screw at its ends. A self-centering device for automatic centering of the screw in the screw support is formed with a self-centering element (11) mounted in the screw-support bore, said element slidingly abutting against the screw both when the screw is rotating in either one of its directions of rotation and when the screw support assumes its end stop positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Tollo Linear ABInventor: Sune Andreasson
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Patent number: 7086305Abstract: A gearshift device for a multiple-gear change box of a vehicle includes at least two gearshift rods with a rectangular cross-section. A roller bearing and a locking device are provided for guiding and locking the gearshift rods, with each gearshift rod having its own locking element.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventor: Klaus Krämer
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Patent number: 7086784Abstract: A bearing unit comprises a radially outer stationary race (1) and a pair of radially inner rotatable half-races (2a, 2b). Au intermediate annular chamber (8) is defined between the outer race (1) and the inner half-races (2a, 2b) The intermediate chamber communicates with the outside through first air passages (5) formed in the outer race (1) and with the inside of the bearing unit through second radial air passages (6) defined between the inner half-races (2a, 2b). An intermediate annular member (10) is axially interposed between the inner half-races (2a, 2b) and defines the second passages (6).Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: SKF Industrie S.p.A.Inventors: Andreas Ruetter, Luca Zavaglia, Michele Musso, Marco Brunetti
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Patent number: 7086306Abstract: A shift device includes a housing, a shift lever, a sensor unit. The shift lever is moved forward and rearward, and leftward and rightward of the shift device for selecting the connection state of the transmission of a vehicle. The sensor unit is attached to the housing. The sensor unit includes a first MRE element, a second MRE element, a light sensor, a first microswitch, and a second microswitch, which are integrated. The first MRE element, the second MRE element, and the light sensor detect the position of the shift lever in the front-rear direction. The first and second microswitches detect the position of the shift lever in the left-right direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki, Kaisha, Tokai, Rika, Denki SeisakushoInventors: Noriyasu Syamoto, Isamu Matsushima, Noriyuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7086303Abstract: A lead screw for a linear actuator, which has a metal pipe having a helical projection resin-molded on its outer surface, and a ball for a pivot bearing welded to a distal end of the metal pipe, is disclosed together with a method of manufacturing the same. With the lead screw according to this invention, a slight positional deviation from the origin, which is caused at a high ambient temperature by thermal expansion of a resin material filled up in the metal pipe, can be prevented reliably. Linear movement upon rotation of a stepping motor can take place with high precision.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunitake Matsushita
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Patent number: 7080570Abstract: A machine tool drive device comprising in a structure: a line of inlet shafts; and angle takeoffs, each having an outlet shaft perpendicular to the line of inlet shafts, each being coupled to the inlet of a reversible gearbox whose outlet shaft carries a pinion, for meshing with a rack, in which the line of inlet shafts comprises two shafts in alignment that are coupled together end to end by a torque transmission member that is elastically deformable in torsion, possessing declutchable elements for connection in rotation with at least one of the shafts, and in which the other end of the shaft is provided with engagement elements enabling it to be turned.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: REDEXInventors: Pierre Casanova, Pierre Vaslier, Jean-Bernard Tetart
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Patent number: 7077027Abstract: A polymeric steering column housing assembly is provided formed from a plurality of components interconnected together using conventional fastening methods for housing a tilting and/or telescoping steering column shaft assembly. In one form of the invention, the steering column housing assembly includes a lower housing member formed from at least two mating parts. Pivotally coupled to the lower housing assembly is an upper steering column assembly likewise formed from at least two mating parts interconnected together. The upper and lower housing members are in turn interconnected by a positioning locking system to control the tilt position of the upper housing member relative to the lower housing member.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Douglas Autotech Corp.Inventors: Joseph A. Krizan, Ryan E. Greenamyer, Chris J. Koleszar
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Patent number: 7077573Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Nam P. Suh, Matthew Sweetland
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Patent number: 7066655Abstract: An integral type thrust bearing is proposed which can be manufactured with fewer heat treatment steps. The retainer and the inner and outer rollers not hardened are assembled together with rollers into a bearing and thereafter the assembled bearing is carburized, hardened and tempered. This eliminates the need for individual heat treatment of the retainer and the inner and outer rings and decreases heat treatment steps for the production of thrust bearings.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Norio Fujioka, Kazuyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7066042Abstract: An advancing/retracting mechanism having a pair of cams is disclosed. The advancing/retracting mechanism includes a first cam, a second cam, and a barrel. The first cam includes an angled surface and a shoe, and the second cam includes an angled surface and a slider. The shoe engages with a helical surface in the barrel, and the slider engages with a straight surface in the barrel. The first cam travels a first distance along the longitudinal axis of the barrel from a first to a second state, and the second cam travels a second distance that is greater then the first distance along the longitudinal axis of the barrel from the first to the second state.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Sanford L.P.Inventors: Neville E. Andrews, Andrew Bielecki
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Patent number: 7063464Abstract: A reciprocating piston mechanism for an air-conditioning compressor in a motor vehicle has a housing, a rotary driven shaft, a shaft seal assembly with a gliding ring seal, at least one radial shaft bearing, and at least one axial shaft bearing.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: LuK Fahrzeug-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Georg Weber, Peter Barth
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Patent number: 7063465Abstract: A thrust bearing 11 for use with a shaft 13 having a collar 15 mounted the shaft 13 and rotatable therewith has a base ring 17, a series of shoes 19 positioned on the base ring 17, and a compressible resilient spacing member 29 positioned between the base ring 17 and a housing 31 for the thrust bearing 11. The spacing member 29 supports the thrust bearing 11 when the shaft 13 is rotating during no-load operating conditions, as well as dampens the forces placed on the thrust bearing 11 by the shaft 13 when the shaft 13 is rotating during no-load conditions. The spacing member 29 is sufficiently stiff that it supports the thrust bearing 11 when the shaft 13 is rotating under no-load conditions, but is sufficiently compressible to be compressed to the extent that the gap 33 between the base ring 17 and the housing 31 is eliminated due to the forces placed on the thrust bearing 11 by the shaft 13 bringing the base ring 17 into contact with the housing 31 during normal load operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Kingsbury, Inc.Inventors: Joseph J. Wilkes, Ascanio M. DeCamillo