Patents Examined by David Fenstermacher
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Patent number: 7000495Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: TransrolInventor: Laurent Benoit
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Patent number: 7000497Abstract: An adjustable gearshift assembly (10, 130) for connecting by a bracket (16) to a transmission of a motor vehicle, providing a shifter knob (12, 132) movable to a selected position relative to an elongate member (14, 144). The shifter knob (12, 132) defines an elongate inner recess (26, 146) slidably received on the elongate member (14, 144). A holder connects to the shifter knob (12, 132) to fix the shifter knob (12, 132) in a selected position. The holder selectively releases to allow the shifter knob (12, 132) to be moved to a selected second position. The holder of the first embodiment includes a ball (92) which communicates through a port (90) between one of a plurality of seats in the elongate member (14) and a slot (80) in the actuator (70). The second embodiment provides a spring plunger (158) that maintains the position of the shifter knob (132) relative to the elongate member (144). A method of selectively positioning a gearshift is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Inventors: Harry Edward Campbell, Robert Edward Campbell
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Patent number: 6997286Abstract: A method and a device for the manual lubrication of a plurality of lubrication points with a quantity of lubricant individually predetermined for each lubrication point. The lubrication points are provided with individual identification elements. Information on the quantity of lubricant that is to be administered to each individual lubrication point in each instance of lubrication is stored in a memory. During lubrication, the lubrication point is identified and information on the predetermined quantity of lubricant is retrieved from the memory, following which lubricant is administered to the lubrication point. Information on the lubrication carried out and the time thereof is stored in the memory. The device includes a lubricant gun with a lubricant reservoir, a pump device, a measuring device with indicating element and a nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Assalub ABInventors: Paer-Olof Funck, Niklas Rehn
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Patent number: 6997079Abstract: A gear mechanism includes a driving gear, a driven gear, and an idler gear which is in mesh with the driving gear and the driven gear, wherein rotation of the driving gear is transferred to the driven gear via the idler gear. The idler gear includes first and second spur gears which are positioned adjacent to each other in an axial direction and are generally centered about a common axis, radial teeth of the first and second spur gears each being the same in shape, pitch and the number of teeth, and the first and second spur gears being biased to rotate in opposite directions. The first and second spur gears are connected so as to be relatively movable in a radial direction normal to the axial direction while maintaining the first and second spur gears in mesh with the driving gear and the driven gear.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: PENTAX CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Maiko Takashima
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Patent number: 6997614Abstract: An elastic rubber bearing is provided with an intermediate tube, namely, a bush bearing with a reinforcing insert arranged in the elastomeric bearing body. The design of the bearing includes a pretension, which is distributed as uniformly as possible both in relation to the circumference and in the axial direction. The pretension is generated in the elastomer in a bearing body after the vulcanization by calibrating the outer sleeve. A reinforcing element of the bearing includes an intermediate tube slotted on two sides in relation to its axial extension.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Helmut Kammel, Bernd Kümper, Axel Sichler
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Patent number: 6997285Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for use with a reciprocating or rotating shaft includes a shaft seal, a lubricant-storing ring, and a retainer. The retainer and ring can be formed as a subassembly and then combined with a shaft seal. The assembly provides a lubricated shaft and seal that improves the effective life of the shaft seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General PartnershipInventors: Michael D. Downes, Robert P. LaPlante
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Patent number: 6993994Abstract: A blocking and releasing of actuating elements especially used in a manually shifted automatic transmission in vehicles for a manual gear input unit with a plurality of actuating elements, e.g., a selector lever and a button. A manual gear input unit (1) is selected for selecting gears with a first actuating element 2 for selecting at least one gear and with at least one additional actuating element 3 for setting additional functions. A detent pawl (6), which can be moved by means of an actuator 8 and by which the first actuating element and at least one additional actuating element 2, 3 can be locked and unlocked simultaneously, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
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Patent number: 6993990Abstract: An operating device having a rotary knob capable of rotation operations exhibits compatibility between speed and precision in operation and does not require use of a plurality of rotary knobs. In the operating device (1) including the rotary knob (4) and the rotation detecting means (8) for detecting the rotated angle of the rotary knob, the rotary knob includes a small-diameter component (4F) for operating the rotary knob quickly, and a large-diameter component (4S) for operating the rotary knob slowly or for fine adjustment, and the determining means (9) is provided for determining the rotated position of the rotary knob when the rotary knob is operated.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shinichi Kojima, Takashi Sogabe
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Patent number: 6991579Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission having first and second discs supported around a rotating shaft and receiving power rollers therebetween includes a ball spline having a first spline groove formed in an outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, a second spline groove formed in an inner circumferential surface of the first disc, and balls provided between the first spline groove and the second spline groove rollably. An axial position of an end portion of an effective groove portion of the first spline groove is located to correspond to an axial position of an inner end portion of the second spline groove or more closely to the second disc than the axial position thereof when a pressing unit, a preload spring and the first disc are installed around the rotating shaft, pressure oil is not fed to the pressing unit, and the preload spring is not elastically deformed.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Norihisa Kobayashi, Shinji Miyata, Takashi Imanishi, Hideki Hashitani
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Patent number: 6990873Abstract: The invention relates to an electromotive drive comprising an electric motor, having a driving pinion which meshes with a toothed wheel to form a first gear speed. A worm is connected to an output shaft of the toothed wheel in a fixed manner, enabling a worm wheel to be driven. The worm and the worm wheel form a second gear speed, and the shaft of the worm wheel forms the output shaft of the electromotive drive. The output shaft of the electromotive drive can be rotatably driven between a starting position and an end position. When the electric motor is not fed by a current, the output shaft of the toothed wheel can be rotatably driven by a pull-back spring in the rotational direction towards the starting position. The second gear speed is a non-self-locking gear speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Rennen, Thomas Mann
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Patent number: 6991580Abstract: A toroidal variable-speed drive unit includes at least one axial offset transmission, at least one actuating member, pivotable supporting journals, and rollers arranged on the pivotable supporting journals which are coupled to one another by the at least one axial offset transmission and can be supported on the at least one actuating member, wherein the rollers are arranged between the actuating member and the at least one axial offset transmission.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Wolfgang Elser, Steffen Henzler, Dinh Cuong Nguyen
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Patent number: 6983670Abstract: A pinion gear type rotating device, in particular, is used in electromagnetic interference characterization of a fiber optics transceiver, by which a member, such as a fiber optics transceiver can be held and rotated by at least 360 degrees about x, y and z axes.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Choy-Yim Kor
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Patent number: 6979277Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, includes: a trunnion including: a support plate portion; and a pair of bent wall portions formed in longitudinal-direction two end portions of the support plate portion and bent on an inner surface side of the support plate portion, the pivot shafts being disposed concentrically with each other on outer surfaces of the bent wall portions; a trunnion shaft formed integrally with the pivot shaft; an oil pressure piston fitted with an outer peripheral surface of the trunnion shaft for moving the trunnions along the axial direction of the pivot shaft; and, a cut-away portion formed in the outer peripheral surface of the trunnion shaft for forming, between the cut-away portion and the oil pressure piston, an oil passage for a lubricating oil to be supplied to the bearing for a power roller.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Takashi Imanishi
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Patent number: 6973848Abstract: An operating device having a rotary knob capable of rotation operations exhibits compatibility between speed and precision in operation and does not require use of a plurality of rotary knobs. In the operating device (1) including the rotary knob (4) and the rotation detecting means (8) for detecting the rotated angle of the rotary knob, the rotary knob includes a small-diameter component (4F) for operating the rotary knob quickly, and a large-diameter component (4S) for operating the rotary knob slowly or for fine adjustment, and the determining means (9) is provided for determining the rotated position of the rotary knob when the rotary knob is operated.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shinichi Kojima, Takashi Sogabe
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Patent number: 6962093Abstract: A noise reduction structure is provided for use with a meshing gear assembly, such as in a power take-off unit for selectively providing power to one or more rotatably driven accessories. The meshing gear assembly includes meshing input and output gears that are supported within a housing and are rotatably driven during use. A helical coil wrap spring extends about and is frictionally engaged with a portion of the output gear. A first end of the wrap spring extends outwardly therefrom to form a control tang that extends adjacent to an abutment surface provided on the housing of the power take-off unit. As a result, the wrap spring is prevented from rotating relative to the housing as the output gear is rotatably driven.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Parker Hannifin CorporationInventor: Russell K. Warner
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Patent number: 6908409Abstract: The invention relates to a stepless friction drive (1) in which friction wheels (2) are mounted. Said friction drive is provided with a system that allows a compensatory displacement of the corresponding friction wheel (2) when the input and output wheels are elastically deformed. Said system is mounted between the lower end of every support (1) and the hydraulic piston (6). The compensation system comprises an upper bearing shell (3), a lower bearing shell (5) and balls (4) that are maintained in a defined arrangement by means of a cage (9).Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernard Sich, Axel Matheis
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Patent number: 6904823Abstract: A haptic shift device for use in shift-by-wire systems in vehicles. The haptic shift device includes a shift lever manipulatable by a user. At least one sensor detects a position of the shift lever, and a transmission gear of the vehicle is caused to be changed based on the position of the shift lever. At least one electrically-controlled actuator outputs a force on the shift lever. In some embodiments, the shift lever is moveable within a pattern and is blocked from areas outside the boundaries of the pattern. The actuator(s) can be active or passive, and/or a variable mechanical gate can be used to implement the pattern. Provided shifting modes can include automatic, manual, and/or sequential modes. Other shifting modes can also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Michael D. Levin, Steven P. Vassallo
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Patent number: 6866123Abstract: An oil supply apparatus for a hermetic compressor includes: a crankshaft coupled with a motor so as to revolve together and having an oil flow path inside, a sleeve connected to a lower part of the crankshaft so as to revolve together with the crankshaft in one body, a sucking member arranged to maintain a uniform interval with an inner circumference face of the sleeve so as to carry out a suction of an oil, and a support means for supporting the sucking member to slide, the support means connected between the sleeve and sucking member so as to maintain a stationary state. The sucking member is supported so as not to revolve at the revolving center of the sleeve, thereby maintaining a uniform gap between the inner circumference face of the sleeve and the sucking member regardless of the vibration from the actuating compressor so as to improve oil supply reliance.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Jong-Hyuk Kim
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Patent number: 6860365Abstract: A system for lubricating the upper bearing supporting a rotatable vertical shaft in a machine or pump comprising an axial bore extending along substantially the length of the shaft and communicating at its lower open end with a reservoir containing lubricating fluid, at least one radial oil hole extending between the axial bore and the upper bearing for the delivery of lubricating fluid thereto, the arrangement being such that centrifugal force generated during rotation of the shaft will draw lubricating fluid from the reservoir upwardly along the axial bore in the form of a thin film and towards the radial oil hole for delivery to the upper bearing, and an air delivery and demisting circuit including an air/lubricating fluid mist chamber communicating with the axial bore via at least one radial port located between the lower open end and the upper bearing, the port having a distal end extending in to the axial bore, at least one air hole extending between the axial bore and the outer cylindrical surface of tType: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: The BOC Group plcInventor: Ian David Stones
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Patent number: 6857338Abstract: A high torque resistant and strong screwless plastic gear box has a reduced thickness at its output shaft. The gear box and a reduction drive assembly therein may be used particularly, but not exclusively, in a slot machine with a spinning drum or hopper which holds coins or tokens to be released therefrom. The gear box includes a main body and a cover which is ultrasonically welded thereto. Locating posts, holding tubes, inner welding pads, outer surrounding tubes, and locating ribs are provided to weld the cover to the main body. Acoustical chambers are formed between outer walls and inner arcuate walls of the main body. The inner arcuate walls surround all of the shafts and gears inside the main body. This double-walled construction reduces noise and provides surprising mechanical strength. All of the gears are mounted on only three shafts secured between the main body and the cover. Four of the gears are stacked on a single central shaft and rotate in two pairs independently of each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Molon Motor & Coil Corp.Inventor: Athanase N. Tsergas