Patents Examined by David Fenstermacher
  • Patent number: 7032713
    Abstract: A battery operated grease gun has a motor that drives a planetary gear assembly that is coupled to a pump assembly that drives a plunger reciprocally in an grease passage to discharge grease through a discharge spout. The pressure in the grease exerts a reaction force on the plunger that will change torque of the motor. The change of the torque of the motor will simultaneously effect voltage applied to the motor. When the voltage in the motor changes, an electronic pressure regulator measures the voltage in the motor to determine the pressure in the grease in the grease passage and stops the motor as the pressure in the grease reaches preset given valves in the pressure regulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Techway Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: San-I Huang, Albert Yeh
  • Patent number: 7033081
    Abstract: A ball bearing in which an annular cage with a plurality of pockets formed through the annular cage is incorporated between inner and outer rings, a ball is housed in each pocket, the annular cage is guided by the outer ring, and a relationship between a radial clearance (guide clearance) ? of the annular cage with respect to the outer ring and an axial clearance (pocket clearance) ? of an inner wall face of the pocket with respect to the ball is set at ???.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Tada
  • Patent number: 7029409
    Abstract: A hydraulic system of a CVT transmission of a motor vehicle is proposed, which has an oil pump for conveying oil from an oil sump to a variator comprising a first pulley set and a second pulley set. In each case, a valve mechanism is provided for controlling a pressure acting on the pulley set concerned. Between the valve mechanisms associated with the respective pulley sets is arranged a pressure selector valve, whose position determines which of the the valve mechanisms controls a main pressure to be delivered by the oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Sommer, Andreas Piepenbrink
  • Patent number: 7029418
    Abstract: A toroidai type continuously variable transmission wherein a rolling member is clamped between rotary members; and wherein a rolling face of rotary members being opposed to each other has a curved face, in which its sectional face along the plane including a center axis of rotation is shaped into an arc, in order to allow said rolling face of said rolling member inclining against the center axis of the rotation of said rotary member, characterized by: an oiling hole formed on the portion on the center side of the rotation in said rolling face of the rotary members being opposed to each other, or on the portion on the center side of the rotation leading to said rolling face; and the oil passage for feeding the lubricating oil to the oiling hole, formed on the center side of the rotation in said rotary member, with being communicated with the oiling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Taketsuna, Shigenori Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7028576
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly (10) including a base member (14) and a shift lever (12); the shift lever (12) being pivotally mounted to the base member (14). The shift lever (12) is pivotally adjustable by an operator, relative to the base member (14), along a shift lever path from an initial position to at least one further position. The pivotal mounting of the shift lever (12) to the base member (14) is configured to enable the shift lever (12) to be mounted in a plurality of pivotal mounting configurations relative to the base member (14). Each pivotal mounting configuration defines a unique shift lever path relative to the base member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: M.T.M. PTY LTD
    Inventor: Witold Zelman
  • Patent number: 7028578
    Abstract: A wrist driving mechanism capable of arranging a large amount of cables and pipes in a robot arm. A robot wrist mechanism having three degrees of freedom is driven by first, second and third drive shafts for transmitting driving forces of first, second and third motors M4, M5 and M6, respectively. The first drive shaft is a hollow shaft for transmitting a rotational driving force from the motor M4 to a first wrist element supported rotatably around the first axis B1. The second and third drive shafts are arranged eccentrically with the first axis B1 in an inner space of the first drive shaft. The second drive shaft transmits a rotational driving force from the motor M5 to a second wrist element supported rotatably around the second axis B2, and the third drive shaft transmits a rotational force from the motor M6 to a third wrist element supported rotatably around the third axis B3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Fanuc LTD
    Inventors: Masaaki Uematsu, Kuniyasu Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Masahiro Morioka
  • Patent number: 7021172
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated throttle system that has the hydraulic system components installed entirely within the throttle grip on the handlebar. A regular throttle cable is run through the frame/handlebar where it connects to the hydraulic system. A three-piston system is used to provide the control. One piston is connected to a disk cam. As the disk is turned (by turning the twist grip), the cam forces the first piston to move, which forces hydraulic fluid from a first cylinder into a secondary cylinder. This secondary cylinder contains a second piston, which is moved by the fluid from the first cylinder. As this second piston moves, hydraulic fluid moves third piston within a third cylinder. The third piston is attached to the throttle cable. As this piston moves within the third cylinder, it pulls or pushes the throttle cable, thereby opening or closing the throttle on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: David S. Perry
  • Patent number: 7021426
    Abstract: A cable is installed in a protective duct or guide tube by means of blowing (and, optionally, synergetic pushing) and lubricating the cable during installation. Lubricating the cable is done after the cable exits from the cable blowing equipment and hence takes place in a pressurized airflow passage. A hollow chamber filled with foam-plugs saturated with lubricant forms the cable lubricator. Lubricant is wiped onto the cable as it moves through the pressurized lubrication compartment. A portion of the airflow used for propelling the cable during blowing installation is bypassed around the lubricator and injected into the duct trajectory downstream of the lubricator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: NKF Kabel B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Griffioen, Maja Keijzer, Cornelis van 't Hul, Willem Greven
  • Patent number: 7021173
    Abstract: A remote center of motion robotic system including a base unit and a plurality of linking units. The base unit is rotatable about a first axis. The plurality of linking units are coupled with one another. At least two of the linking units are kept parallel to each another during motion. The plurality of linking units are coupled with that base unit at a first end. The plurality of linking units are rotatable about a second axis by changing an angle between each of the plurality of links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: The John Hopkins University
    Inventors: Dan Stoianovici, Louis L. Whitcomb, Dumitru Mazilu, Russell H. Taylor, Louis R. Kavoussi
  • Patent number: 7017437
    Abstract: In a ball screw drive comprising a spindle (1), a nut (3) surrounding the spindle (1), and balls (4) arranged between the spindle (1) and the nut (3), which balls (4) are in rolling contact with a screw track (2) formed on the spindle (1) and on corresponding screw tracks (7, 12) formed on rings arranged within the nut (3) comprises a deflecting region for returning the balls (4) from a run-out end of a common turn of the screw tracks (2, 7, 12) to a run-in end of this turn, the screw tracks (7, 12) of the rings arranged in the nut (3, 15) are made on front faces of these rings with the screw tracks (7, 12) of two adjacent rings defining together with the screw track (2) of the spindle (1, 18), an endless circulation channel for the balls (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Alexander Zernickel, Rolf Fleischhauer
  • Patent number: 7017439
    Abstract: An adjustment device includes a lifting mechanism having a lifting arm articulated to a component of a stationary supporting structure for moving the component between two end positions. A rotary drive mechanism has an output member which is linked to the lifting arm. In order to completely, or at least partially, absorb a load moment exerted during movement of the component, at least one stationary support element is associated to the rotary drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Megdal Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schunke, Bernd Buchholz, Dieter Palm
  • Patent number: 7013747
    Abstract: An internal recirculating ball screw and nut system that is easier to manufacture and more reliant by virtue of a particular configuration of the grooves on the interior of the nut or the follower. Crossback portions of select nut grooves are arranged in a manner that allows the bearing balls to recirculate by slipping over the top of adjacent thread lands of the screw, advancing and recirculating within a single 360 degree rotation within said nut. Said recirculation is accomplished solely through the design of the path of a unitary nut, without use of any ancillary devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: White Stroke LLC
    Inventor: John Drake
  • Patent number: 7013748
    Abstract: An automatic transmission apparatus is provided with a compact shifting mechanism. The apparatus includes an automatic transmission, the shifting mechanism arranged inside the vehicle cabin to have a shift lever to be manipulated by a driver and also adapted to allow a desired driving range of the vehicle to be selected by the driver's manipulating of the shift lever, a link mechanism to transmit a movement of the shift lever to the shifting mechanism and a manipulating-force assisting device acting on a connecting part between the shifting mechanism and the link mechanism to assist a driver's force to manipulate the shift lever, the manipulating-force assisting device having a motor as a driving source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Satoh, Toshio Ohashi, Takeshi Ogasawara, Toyotoshi Katou
  • Patent number: 7010993
    Abstract: A universal power operator for shifting a movable barrier, such as a gate, and a circuit control system for operation thereof, is shown that allows the operator to be assembled for both a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier. The universal power operator includes generally an actuator arm, a housing assembly, a gear assembly, and a modular drive motor. The housing assembly contains generally symmetrical portions allowing the user to interchangeably assemble the motor in one of two positions for use with a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David Schuda, Celestino Casali
  • Patent number: 7010996
    Abstract: A cam locking assembly for an adjustable steering column. The assembly includes a tie bolt that is secured relative to the steering column. A lever member is positioned for rotation about the tie bolt. A caming unit is positioned about the tie bolt adjacent the lever member. The caming unit has a roller assembly positioned between a pair of opposed cam plates. One of the cam plates is associated with the lever member and rotates therewith and the other plate is fixed relative to such rotation. Each cam plate has a plurality of ramped recesses on its internal surface such that rotation of the one plate causes the rollers to ride up the ramps such that the plates are pushed apart. The pushed apart ramps cause clamping upon the steering column to lock its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Timken US Corporation
    Inventors: Gary T. Schick, W. Richard Gist, Glenn DiCostanzo
  • Patent number: 7011182
    Abstract: A housing cannot be made compact by only securing a space corresponding to a reservoir tank at the upper part of the housing, and the space at the upper part of the housing cannot be utilized if the reservoir tank is integrally provided to the upper part of the housing. An axle driving apparatus comprising a tubular reservoir tank erected on the upper surface of the upper wall surface of the housing for accommodating an HST, wherein, since the reservoir tank is thinly elongated and is freely bendable, it can be disposed in a limited space. The housing is divided into a first room and a second room with which the reservoir tank communicates. Further, a first magnet is disposed at a position where the first and second rooms are connected, and a second magnet is disposed in the proximity of an oil filter connected to a closed circuit of the HST so that impurities can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Masaru Iida, Hiroaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7007773
    Abstract: A lubrication device lubricates traveling lubrication sites, such as on a belt (1), in particular, on a roller or chain belt (1). The lubrication device includes a lubricating apparatus (2) having a catch (C) that is capable of assuming a resting position and a catching position relative to the belt (1). In the catching position, a lubricating head (D) of the lubricating apparatus (2) is moved to a lubrication site by relative lateral motion between the belt (1) and the lubricating apparatus (2) in order to supply lubricant to the lubricating site. At the end of the run path, the lubricating head (D) as well as the catch (C) moves relative to the belt (1) to return back to the resting position. Also, before or simultaneously while the catch (C) is brought into engagement with the belt (1), the lubricating apparatus (2) can be extended in a longitudinal direction of the lubrication site motion at a boosting speed, which is greater than zero and less than the speed of the belt (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Lincoln GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Karl Rodemer, Heinz Rühl
  • Patent number: 7004046
    Abstract: A gear made of a resin including substantially annular toothed portion formed at a radially outer location, a shaft-supporting section formed at a radially inner location around a rotational center of the toothed portion, and a web connecting the shaft-supporting section and the toothed portion to each other. A circumferential rib is formed on the web concentrically with the toothed portion, and diametrical ribs are also formed on the web radiately to connect the circumferential rib and the shaft-supporting section to each other in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Noguchi, Kazuyuki Sakamaki
  • Patent number: 7004045
    Abstract: A high thrust operator for gate valves employs an inverted satellite roller screw assembly driven by an internally threaded cylinder carried within a bearing case. The cylinder is sized to provide a relief plenum within the case into which the roller screw assembly can be over extended to expose tool engagement flats for attachment and release of a mating stem in the valve gate actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Minarik Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Ernest Cox
  • Patent number: 7000495
    Abstract: Actuator device comprising a support (2); a longitudinal drive rod (8), part of the rear end (9) of which is mounted and rotates inside the support, and of which a front end section (17) has an external screw thread (18) and on its annular section, gear teeth (19); a longitudinal sheath (39) positioned around and coaxially to the drive rod has an internal screw thread; a series of rollers (28) positioned longitudinally between the drive rod and the sheath and having an external screw thread engaged with the external screw thread of the drive rod and with the internal screw thread of the sheath, and gear teeth engaged with the gear teeth of the drive rod. The helix angle of the screw thread of the rollers is equal to the screw thread helix angle of the screw thread of the drive rod, and different from the helix angle of the screw thread of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Transrol
    Inventor: Laurent Benoit