Patents Examined by Douglas C. Butler
  • Patent number: 6969053
    Abstract: The present invention provides a strut mount comprising an inner member (12) to which an upper extremity of a rod of a buffer is fixed, an outer member (14) attached to a vehicle while surrounding an outer circumference of the inner member, and an elastomer (16) interposed between both members to dampen vibration, wherein an attachment piece (28) of an outer fitting (14) and an attachment plate (2) of the vehicle body are curved in the form of a sphere to raise rigidity and improve vehicle running stability. Besides, a non-fastening surface portion (36) is provided by being lowered via a different level portion (34) around a bolt fastening surface portion (30) of the attachment piece (28), preventing rubber burr from being produced on the fastening surface. Furthermore, by the use of a caulking nut (52) stuck to the underside of the attachment piece (28), the weight of the products can be reduced, and cost reduction is accomplished by laborsaving during operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiro Kawada, Hideo Tadano
  • Patent number: 6969128
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake device includes a master cylinder supplying pressurized fluid to plural brakes which respectively restrict the rotations of road wheels, a solenoid block mounted on the master cylinder and containing plural solenoid valves, and an ECU provided with a control board for controlling the solenoid valves to distribute pressurized fluid to the plural brakes and also provided with a case for containing the control board therein. The solenoid block and the ECU form an integrated structure, and the integrated structure composed of the solenoid block and the ECU is removably mounted on the master cylinder. Further, the ECU is secured to the solenoid block by screw bolts which are arranged within an area inside the external form of the control board. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to provide bolt seats for the screw bolt outside the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhito Sekihara
  • Patent number: 6968926
    Abstract: A bicycle hub brake component is provided for a bicycle hub brake that includes a fastening bracket adapted to be nonrotatably mounted relative to the bicycle frame, a brake drum adapted to rotate integrally with the hub relative to the fastening bracket, and a brake mechanism adapted to apply a braking force to the brake drum. The component comprises an actuating arm adapted to be movably mounted to the fastening bracket for actuating the brake mechanism, and an inner mounting portion for moving the actuating arm. The inner mounting portion comprises an arm body, a retaining portion disposed on the arm body for mounting the arm body to the actuating arm so that the inner mounting portion moves relative to the actuating arm, and an inner detaining portion disposed on the arm body for detaining an inner cable of a brake cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiji Matsueda
  • Patent number: 6966616
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus is provided with a master cylinder, an assisting device for assisting the master piston to be advanced in response to operation of a brake pedal, and an auxiliary piston having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion to define first and second pressure transmitting chambers, with the large diameter portion connected to the assisting device. A first valve member is provided for controlling the communication between the first and second pressure transmitting chambers, and a second valve member is provided for controlling a flow of the brake fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. A valve opening mechanism is provided for opening the first valve member, and mechanically connecting the second valve member with the first valve member, to open the second valve member when the auxiliary piston is retracted from its advanced state to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yasuda, Yuji Goto
  • Patent number: 6966614
    Abstract: The invention relates to an architecture for a hydraulic circuit associated with actuators (100), such as actuators for airplane brakes, the architecture comprising a main hydraulic circuit (C) having hydraulic components (4, 5 101, 6) and adapted to convey hydraulic fluid pressurized by at least one pressure generator (2) associated with a main supply (1) to the actuators (100). The architecture includes an emergency system comprising an auxiliary supply (8) permanently fed by a return circuit (R) collecting the returns from all of the hydraulic components (4, 5,101, 6), the auxiliary supply (8) being connected to the main supply (1) via a relief valve (9). The emergency system further comprising an electrically driven pump unit (10) arranged to take fluid from the auxiliary supply (8) and to inject it into the main circuit (C) downstream from a general check valve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventors: Walid Hamzeh, Jérôme Libourel
  • Patent number: 6964461
    Abstract: The brake control apparatus sets a target deceleration (1) in accordance with an amount of operation of the brake pedal. It calculates another target deceleration (2) on the basis of the target deceleration (1). In this calculation, limit values of deceleration increasing and decreasing gradients with respect to the target deceleration (1) are set on the basis of the target deceleration (1), and then the target deceleration (2) is obtained by correcting the target deceleration (1) on the basis of the established deceleration increasing and decreasing gradients. Accordingly, the deceleration increasing/decreasing gradient becomes small when braking is gentle. This makes it possible to curb an abrupt change in brake force to achieve smooth brake control. Further, the deceleration increasing/decreasing gradient becomes larger when braking is abrupt. Accordingly, it is possible to create a great change in brake force to provide a high response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahisa Yokoyama, Haruo Arakawa, Takayuki Takeshita
  • Patent number: 6964460
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a brake system of a braked vehicle during a turn, the vehicle having four wheels. The control system is configured to selectively modify a brake pressure applied to each of the wheels by the brake system. The control system is configured to receive a driver input relating to a brake pressure sought to be applied. The control system includes a controller for monitoring a slip status of each of the four wheels during a turn. The controller is configured to direct the brake system to independently increase, decrease, or hold the brake pressure applied to each of the four wheels based at least in part upon slip status of each respective wheel. The controller is configured to direct the brake system to modify the brake pressure applied to each of the wheels such that the brake pressure applied to a given wheel of the four wheels is always equal to or less than the brake pressure sought to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. O'Dea
  • Patent number: 6964411
    Abstract: A column unit includes a fixed upright tube with a bottom upright-tube end and a top upright-tube end and a telescopic tube axially displaceably guided in the upright tube. A cylinder of a pneumatic spring is axially displaceably guided in the telescopic tube. A piston rod projecting out of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring has a free end fastened on the upright tube proximate the bottom upright-tube end. A carry-along stop of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring allows the telescopic tube to be carried along out of the upright tube when the pneumatic spring is moved axially. A securing element limits an axial movement of the telescopic tube out of the upright tube. The securing element is arranged on the upright tube and abuts the outer cylindrical lateral surface of the telescopic tube with radially inwardly directed resilient prestressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Pooschen
  • Patent number: 6962330
    Abstract: A vibration damper includes a damping element and a pneumatic spring, where the damping element has a container tube, a fastening part, and a piston rod, and where the pneumatic spring consists of a spring bellows acting as a roll bellows, an outer tube connected to the mass whose vibrations are to be minimized, and a roll-over tube carrying a roll-over profile. The spring bellows forms one boundary of an elastic space filled with a pressurized gas, whereas the roll-over tube seals off the gas space from the container tube and is attached thereto. A stamped and formed support ring, which supports the roll-over tube on the container tube and serves to suppress tilting movements, is installed between the container tube and the roll-over tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernd Klitsch, Stefan Brehm, Michael Müller
  • Patent number: 6962241
    Abstract: A cable disengagement prevention configuration for a drum brake device that provides a simple and safe connection of a brake cable to a brake lever and reliably prevents disengagement of the brake cable after connecting the brake cable to the brake lever. The cable disengagement prevention configuration mainly comprises a bowfront portion (18f) of the brake lever (18) and a brake shoe (11). The bowfront portion (18f) is formed between a primary seating (18e) and a secondary seating (18g) and is positioned apart from the primary seating (18e) at an opening side of a U-shaped groove (18d). The cable disengagement prevention configuration allows a cable end fitting (28) to pass through a gap between the brake lever (18) and the brake shoe (11) only when rotating the brake lever (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6962244
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a brake mechanism of a disc brake received in a caliper and a method for controlling the force amplification for the brake mechanism. The brake mechanism comprises a lever actuated by a brake actuator. The lever is acting on a cross bar by means of an intermediate part. The lever and the intermediate part have a line of contact moving along a circular arc during an application stroke of the brake mechanism. The cross bar of the brake mechanism is closely guided and is only moveable in the thrust direction and in the tangential direction of the brake disc. The force amplification of the brake mechanism is adapted to the force characteristics of the brake actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventors: Anders Örtegren, Stefan Sandberg
  • Patent number: 6959968
    Abstract: An electrical control network is laid over one or more vehicle dynamics control and/or ride control systems of a heavy vehicle, which control network controls actuation of components thereof. The invention offers many advantages including reduction of components, simplified design, unified communication for numerous different types of system components, simplified resolution of conflicts between competing control strategies, expandability to additional vehicle systems, and flexibility to upgrade for new, improved vehicle control schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Bale, Robert David Prescott
  • Patent number: 6959791
    Abstract: A motor-driven disk brake having a caliper containing a piston for pressing a brake pad, a rotary actuator and a rotary-to-rectilinear motion converting mechanism for transmitting rotation of the rotary actuator to the piston after converting it into rectilinear motion. The piston is driven in response to rotation of the rotary actuator to press the brake pad against a disk rotor, thereby generating braking force. A brake releasing mechanism for returning the rotary-to-rectilinear motion converting mechanism to its initial position in the event of a failure in the rotary actuator is interposed between a rotating member and a rectilinearly moving member that constitute the rotary-to-rectilinear motion converting mechanism. The brake releasing mechanism has an urging device for generating a torque in the direction for returning the piston in response to the rotation of the rotating member in the direction for advancing the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hitachi Seisakusho
    Inventor: Takuya Usui
  • Patent number: 6959794
    Abstract: A parking brake monitor and adjustment control system controls parking brake operation of an electromechanically actuated brake system which applies a parking brake force to a wheel. The system includes a monitor circuit for producing an output signal which intermittently causes the brake system to readjust the parking brake force applied to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Mihai Ralea, Eric Daniel Cahill
  • Patent number: 6959969
    Abstract: A method for detecting a contact point of a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism includes an actuator controlled by a motor. The method includes the steps of establishing a parameter of the motor and a derivative of the parameter and, if the parameter has passed a previous value under no load conditions and the amplitude of the derivative of the parameter has passed a predetermined threshold, responsively establishing a zero position of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Melinda D. Simpson, Jon T. Zumberge, Robert J. Disser
  • Patent number: 6959789
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is provided which can suppress brake judder. A film is disposed between the brake rotor-mounting surface of the wheel mounting flange and an abutment surface of a brake rotor to fill a gap therebetween to suppress the deformation of the brake rotor. Also, by concentrating the contact force between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor when a disc wheel of the wheel is tightened to the hub bolts to a portion near the hub bolts, the contact between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor on the surfaces between the hub bolts is suppressed so that undulation of the flat surfaces between the hub bolts will not cause deformation of the brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima
  • Patent number: 6959922
    Abstract: A transmission mount structure for mounting a transmission connected to an end of a transverse-mounted engine to a vehicle body includes an elastic main vibration-damping member for reducing both vibrations in a vertical direction and vibrations in a roll direction, and an elastic auxiliary vibration-damping member smaller in diameter or thickness than the main vibration-damping member and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the roll direction. The auxiliary vibration-damping member has a constricted portion formed at a longitudinal central portion thereof and having a smaller cross-section than any other part of the auxiliary vibration-damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 6957806
    Abstract: An improved airspring assembly includes a collapsible support member disposed within the pressurizable chamber of an airspring having a flexible sidewall. The support member is configured such that it extends and collapses along a longitudinal axis of the chamber responsive to pressurization and depressurization of the chamber, respectively. The support member also is configured such that it retains a substantially rigid outer perimeter, thereby restricting movement of the chamber's flexible sidewall toward the longitudinal axis when the chamber is depressurized. The support member also is configured such that it does not interfere with the full stroke of the airspring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: The Modern Group Limited
    Inventor: Orain Tubbs
  • Patent number: 6957873
    Abstract: In a method for regulating the driving stability of a vehicle pressures for individual brakes of the vehicle are determined in dependence on several input quantities so that the driving stability is enhanced by brake interventions at individual wheels. To enhance the driving stability of a vehicle, it is determined during stable driving performance whether in view of a highly dynamic steering maneuver there is a tendency to a subsequent unstable driving performance, and in this case brake pre-intervention will occur already when the vehicle exhibits a stable driving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Wanke, Martin Kümmel, Henning Raulfs, Alexander May
  • Patent number: 6957727
    Abstract: An impact absorber for a vehicle includes an outer body including a cavity having an axis, and an inner body situated partially within the cavity for relative movement into the cavity when the absorber is subjected to an impact. The inner body has at least one lateral protrusion. A number of deformable units are located in the outer body at different positions along the cavity. The deformable units partially protrude into the cavity for successive engagements and deformations, one unit after another unit, along the cavity, by the protrusion of the inner body moving into the outer body, thereby absorbing the energy of an impact in different stages. Each deformable unit includes a rigid ball protruding into the cavity and a deformable plate fixed behind the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Kam Hang Leung