Patents Examined by Emmanuel Marcelo
  • Patent number: 7007881
    Abstract: A fishing reel has a spool with a spindle and the spindle has a retaining portion to be engaged and disengaged with a slot of a gear rod. The gear rod is provided with two cut faces. While the spool is rotating in high speed, the retaining portion is attached on the cut faces first, and then the retaining portion is totally engaged with the slot after the spool rotates continuously to a predetermined angle. As a result, the spool can be stopped successfully while the spool is rotating in high speed and no damage is occurred between the spindle and the gear rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Liang-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 7007928
    Abstract: A tire winch, tire winch kit, and method of pulling an object. The tire winch includes a spool having a substantially cylindrical hub dimensioned to accept and wind a cable thereabout, and a means for attaching the spool to a tire such that the rotation of the tire causes the spool to rotate. The kit includes a winding spool, an unwinding spool and a means for attaching one of the spools to the tire. The method includes the steps of attaching the winch to a drive wheel of a vehicle, winding a flexible member around the hub of the winch, attaching the free end of the member to an object, and driving away from the object to unwind the member from the winch and, thereby, pull the object a distance that is less than the distance traveled by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Dale E. Van Cor
  • Patent number: 7004456
    Abstract: A mobile service rig for wells includes a hoist powered by an internal combustion engine. In response to the hoist exerting a predetermined lifting force, the lifting force is limited by automatically limiting or reducing the speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Key Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic M. Newman
  • Patent number: 7004420
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the driving mechanism of winding needles which dispense wire to form the wire coils of a dynamo-electric machine component. Generally, such wire winding is achieved by providing translational, rotational, and radial motions to the winding needle relative to a reference structure of the component. The present invention provides wire winding solutions for causing the winding needles to accomplish predetermined motions with respect to the component so that wire is predictably positioned on the component to form the wire coils. In particular, the present invention provides a driving mechanism with coaxial hollow shafts that impart the necessary motions to the winding needle. In one aspect of the invention, the inner shaft is able to mirror the rotation of the outer shaft to provide rotational motion to the winding needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: ATOP S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Stratico, Antonio Lumini
  • Patent number: 7000905
    Abstract: A retaining keeper assembly for a hoisting device. A shank has a plurality of circumferential grooves perpendicular to an axis of the shank. A thrust bearing surrounds the shank and is supported by the hoisting device. A split retaining collar having a plurality of interior circular protrusions mates with the circumferential grooves in the shank to prevent axial movement of the shank. A cylindrical retaining collar cover having a closed top and an open bottom encloses the retaining collar, the cover having an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the retaining collar. A fastener mechanism fastens the retaining collar cover to the split retaining collar and to the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Crosby Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest E. Lutter, Alan C. Doughty, Paul A. Boeckman
  • Patent number: 7000904
    Abstract: A cable winch structure for vehicles is disclosed. The cable winch includes a rolling cylinder connected to a speed-reducing device at one lateral side, and having a motor connected to one end of the roller cylinder so that the speed reducing motor transmits the power of the motor to the roller cylinder facilitating traction of the cable and the speed-reducing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Yuan-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 6997409
    Abstract: An automatic rewinding two-speed fishing reel that utilizes a transmission which includes a post assembly mounted on a driver that is rotatable on a shaft that connects to a recess arrangement formed in a low gear that is also rotatable on the shaft. The post assembly is engaged with the recess arrangement when in the low speed mode and is displaced from the recess arrangement when in the high speed mode. Connecting wall surfaces between the post assembly and the recess arrangement form an angle other than ninety degrees and preferably between ten and sixty degrees relative to the longitudinal center axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventors: Steven W. Bledsoe, Richard S. Duncan
  • Patent number: 6997442
    Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6994324
    Abstract: A fiber redirect system for use with a multi-axis robotic wrist and fiber placement system and methods of using the same are provided. The fiber redirect system may include one or more redirect mechanisms configured to alter the path of one or more fiber tows fed from a creel assembly to a fiber placement head. The redirect mechanism may be located and configured so as to be centered about either the intersection of the pitch and yaw axes of the robotic wrist or the intersection of the yaw and roll axes of the robotic wrist. In one exemplary embodiment, a first redirect mechanism is centered about the intersection of the pitch and yaw axes, a second redirect mechanism is centered about the intersection of the yaw and roll axes and a third redirect mechanism may be centered about the roll axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Harvey, Douglas G. Harris, James M. Brown, Boyd Hatch
  • Patent number: 6991194
    Abstract: An improved needle solution is provided for winding wire coils onto dynamo-electric machine components such as electric motor stators and armatures. The improved needle solution decreases the opportunity for collision between the needle apparatus and the machine component onto which wire coils are being wound and enables the winding of machine components with small interior hollows that may not allow conventional needle solutions to pass through. The improved needle solution further provides increased accuracy in wire coil stratification by stabilizing the stratification motion of the apparatus using guide structures that engage the needle arm. The needle solution further provides open access to the wire being fed through the apparatus for winding onto the machine component. Multiple needles may be accommodated by the apparatus to simultaneously wind multiple wire coils onto a machine component using the improved needle solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Axis USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Stratico, Antonio Lumini, Simone Stratico
  • Patent number: 6988715
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hoisting device with a drive unit (1) including a motor and a transmission, a drive shaft (2) which can be driven by the drive unit (1), with drive flange (3) which can be secured to it, as well as a cable drum (4) which can be connected to the drive flange (3), wherein the torque of the drive shaft (2) can be transmitted by a coupling to the cable drum (4), wherein the coupling consists of at least one coupling element (9) arranged essentially by form fitting between the drive flange (3) and the cable drum (4), being constructed from individual coupling segments (9a), which have drive cams (10) pointing radially inward and outward on both sides, which engage with corresponding recesses (11) of the two adjoining structural parts (3, 4) that can be coupled together for the torque transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Jürgen Winter, Heinrich Flaig, Thomas Kohlenberg, Michael Dammer
  • Patent number: 6988684
    Abstract: A handle assembly has a handle arm mounted to a fore-end of a handle shaft, a handle grip rotatively mounted to one end of the handle arm, and a rotation support portion made of a metal for rotatively mounting the handle grip to handle arm. The handle grip is a substantially egg-shaped member made of a synthetic resin, and is rotatively provided on the outward side of the rotation support portion. The handle grip is shaped such that the user can grip the whole of the handle grip with his palm. The handle grip also has first through fourth recesses such that the user can grasp the handle grip by attaching the thumb to the third recess, or pinch the handle grip between the thumb and fingertips by placing the thumb and index finger in the first and second recesses. Accordingly, it is possible to conduct high-speed winding easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hirayama, Kenichi Kawasaki, Tomoharu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 6988716
    Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6988714
    Abstract: A lift mechanism for use in raising ground trench covers includes an axially extending housing, a cam located at one end of the housing, and a latch located at the other end of the housing. Rotational cam movement drives movement of the latch between retracted and actuated positions. The cam is connected to a latch driving mechanism, which may include springs and/or cables of unequal strength and/or unequal length. A method for using the lift mechanism is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Lucasey Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Edward L. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6988688
    Abstract: In winding methods, a primary nip formed against a web defines continuing and leading web portions. A secondary nip is formed against and moved along the leading portion, from an outfeed side of the primary nip to an infeed side. The continuing portion and a free end of the leading portion are then simultaneously advanced into the primary nip. Winding apparatus has a winding spindle and builder roller that rotate about parallel winding and builder roller axes, respectively. An axle defines a guide axis and carries a cinch roller that rotates about the guide axis. The axle pivots between first and second orientations, in which the guide axis parallels and is transverse to the winding axis, respectively. The axle moves in the first orientation, in an incomplete orbit about the winding spindle from a start to a rotated position, both adjacent the builder roller, and returns in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Reinke, William C. Lebbon
  • Patent number: 6988713
    Abstract: The invention is a device for receiving and drawing tight an edge of a tarp on a moveable vehicle. The tarp edge retainer has a latching member with a latch plate and an arm. The latch plate has an inverted channel and a lip, under which the edge of a tarp can extend in an operable orientation. The arm extends from the latch plate, through a guide and connects to a displacing means. The invention further includes a spring means mounted to the latching member for returning the latching member to a rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Eric L. Walls
  • Patent number: 6983905
    Abstract: A screw operation structure includes a screw-in portion that is capable of being mounted to a rear portion of a reel unit, a screw member, and an operation member. The screw-in portion includes an outer threaded portion, and a tubular portion that is integrally formed with the outer threaded portion. The tubular portion is formed such that the diameter thereof is larger than the inner diameter of the inner threaded portion of the screw member. In this configuration, the screw member is prevented from falling off of the screw-in portion by the tubular portion of the screw-in portion, which has a diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the inner threaded portion of the screw member. In this manner, it is easy to mount an the operation member and the screw member in the reel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 6983927
    Abstract: A level winder is provided for winding cable in a winch system. The winch is suitable for use on a tracked vehicle, such as a snow grooming vehicle, to assist the vehicle in maneuvering on steep inclines. The level winder uses a pivoting pulley assembly to feed cable onto and off of a drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Camoplast Industrial Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Pelletier, Claude Trahan
  • Patent number: 6983907
    Abstract: A spool braking device for a dual bearing reel includes a spool brake unit, a spool control unit, and a tension detection unit that includes a rotational speed sensor. The spool control unit is arranged between a spool and a reel body, and it an electrically controllable unit that controls the spool. The tension detection unit detects the tension applied to fishing line that is released from the spool during casting. The spool control unit electrically controls the spool braking unit so that the spool braking unit brakes the spool with a first braking force of 50 to 100% of the maximum braking force during a first predetermined time period when the tension detected by the tension detection unit is at or below a first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Ken′ichi Kawasaki, Kazuki Hiraizumi
  • Patent number: 6981695
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle with a plurality of independent winches is provided. One winch may be mounted on the front of the all terrain vehicle. Another winch may be mounted at the rear of the all terrain vehicle. The winches are controlled independently of each other. For example, the front winch can be driven in a forward direction or a reverse direction independently of the rear winch, and the rear winch can be driven in a forward direction or a reverse direction independently of the front winch. Additionally, the front winch and the rear winch may be engaged to operate simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Hedlund, David Foss, Ryan Sorenson