Patents Examined by Frank H. McKenzie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4411403
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises a housing (12) and a mirror assembly (18, 20) mounted therein. The housing includes attachment means (30, 32, 34, 36) for supporting the mirror (18, 20) in the housing (12). Support means (22) pivotably mounts the mirror assembly (10, 18) to the attachment means (30, 32, 34, 36). The support means (22) includes first and second arm means (40, 42, 44, 46) which mount the support means (22) to the attachment means (30, 32, 34, 36). The first arm means (44, 46) are mounted in tension and the second arm means (40, 42) are mounted in compression. The prestressing of the first and second arm means (40, 42, 44, 46) serves to reduce vibration of the mirror relative to the vehicle and thereby substantially reduce blurring of images on the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Keeler Brass Company
    Inventor: David L. Tomsu
  • Patent number: 4411172
    Abstract: Propulsion means of an undersea vehicle comprises a pair of counter-rotat low speed impellers driven from a spider shaft rotating at relatively high speed. The reduction is accomplished by a variable speed reducing and torque transmitting device which allows infinite resolution for speed control including a zero speed setting while maintaining a constant high speed at the input spider shaft. Attitude of the vehicle is controlled by a plurality of regulated inlet ports and roll control is regulated by increasing the speed of one impeller and decreasing the speed of the other. The sea water utilized for the attitude is also used for propulsion. Control systems within the vehicle utilize an electro-pneumatic-hydraulic system complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael DeMarco
  • Patent number: 4409862
    Abstract: A variable speed rotary power transmission comprises a planetary gear train having a cage with at least one planet gear meshed between a ring gear and a sun gear for orbital motion about an axis common to the ring gear and the sun gear. A driven output is connected to one of the planetary gear train elements and a driving input rotatably drives another of the planetary gear train elements. A variable speed drive assembly varies the relative rotational speed of the remaining planetary gear train element such that the driven output is rotatably driven at a speed which is continuously variable throughout a predetermined speed range without varying the speed of the driving input. In one preferred embodiment, the driving input is connected to the cage and the variable speed drive assembly rotatably drives the ring gear in the same rotational direction as the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Inventor: John S. Adkins
  • Patent number: 4408501
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter transmission for an automotive vehicle driveline comprising multiple ratio gearing having two input torque elements and an output torque element and a compound planetary torque splitter gear unit in the converter including a compound planet carrier connected drivably to the converter turbine and adapted to be connected to one input torque element of the gearing, the ring gear of the torque splitter gear unit being adapted to be connected to a second input torque element of the gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Po-lung Liang, Alan R. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4406178
    Abstract: An infinitely-variable bi-directional power transmission utilizes the differential in power input applied to members of a planetary gear set to control the speed and direction of rotation of a power output shaft also connected to the planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Inventor: Frans P. Gillade
  • Patent number: 4400997
    Abstract: A drive for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor drivingly connected to a manual transmission with a clutch is provided. The transmission has a shift lever, a shift gate, a lane associated with the lowest gear of the transmission, and an input shaft. A control lever is longitudinally displaceable when the shift lever is in a neutral position, and is supported by the shift lever when the shift lever is in the neutral position. The shift gate supports the control lever when the shift lever is positioned out of the neutral position. A first switch is positioned in the transmission and is actuated by the control lever. A spring normally biases the control lever into contact with the first switch. A first motor circuit includes an accelerator pedal coupled to a regulator to control the speed of the electric motor. A second motor circuit includes the accelerator pedal coupled to a power regulator to control the speed of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ernst Fiala
  • Patent number: 4400994
    Abstract: A first segment usually attached to a tractor is pivotally linked by a first bolt to a second pivotal segment. For example, which may be moved between an extended outward working position and a retracted, non-working inward position. A hydraulic cylinder and piston are mounted on the fixed segment and the free end of the piston is pivotally linked to the base of a substantially U-shaped member. One arm of the U-shaped member is pivotally linked to the fixed segment, and the other arm of the U-shaped member is pivotally linked to one end of a coupling member. The other end of the coupling member is pivotally linked to the pivotal segment. In the extended position, the arms of the U-shaped member pivot down wardly, and the end of the coupling member connected to the pivotal segment comes to rest between the arms of the U-shaped member in horizontal alignment with the links connecting the U-shaped member to the fixed segment and pivotal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Kverneland A/S
    Inventor: Magne Skjaeveland
  • Patent number: 4399717
    Abstract: To selectively provide multi-speed two-wheel drive, multi-speed four-wheel drive and low-speed high-torque four-wheel drive, a change-speed gearing for a motor vehicle includes a rear output shaft coaxial with a front output shaft, a clutch hub fixed to the rear end portion of the front output shaft adjacent to the front end of the rear output shaft, a first hub sleeve axially slidable on the clutch hub to be shifted toward the front end of the rear output shaft to connect the front and rear output shafts, a speed-reduction driven gear freely rotatable on the front output shaft adjacent to the clutch hub and in meshing engagement with a counter gear fixed to a countershaft, and a second hub sleeve axially slidable on a hub portion of the driven gear to be shifted toward the clutch hub after the first hub sleeve is shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Funato, Katunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4395927
    Abstract: The hydraulic regulating device for an automatic transmission system in motor vehicles having a plurality of hydraulic couplings, includes a single pressure build-up regulating valve and a single pressure decrease regulating valve and assigned to each coupling a solenoid operated directional control valve having its working port connected to the couplings, its pressure port connected via a switch-on reversing valve to the pressure build-up regulating valve, and its return port connected via a switch-off reversing valve to a return conduit; both reversing valves are controlled according to predetermined pressure levels on the coupling so that in the working position of the switch-on reversing valve the coupling is connected to a stable high pressure and when the coupling process is initiated by reversing the position of the directional control valve, the switch-off reversing valve connects the coupling element to the pressure decrease regulating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Muller, Joseph Sauer, Manfred Schwab, Meinrad Feder, Achim Schreiber
  • Patent number: 4392395
    Abstract: An infinitely variable power transmission having three power transmitting shafts (14,16,25) differentially rotatable around a common axis (20) and connected together by at least one bevel wheel (12) rotatable around a nutating axis (22). The nutating axis (22) intersects the common axis (20) and is carried by the first shaft (16) around the common axis (20). The second shaft (25) has a bevel gear (26) connecting it to the wheel (12) perimeter. The wheel (12) sits on a convex segment (13) of the third shaft (14) making a single traction point (52) in the plane defined by the axes (20,22). Power may be applied to any two of the shafts with the speed of the power output by the third being controlled by the location of the traction point (52). The traction point (52) may be moved within the plane so that for any single engine speed, the speed of the power output shaft may be infinitely varied in a specific range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John M. Clarke
  • Patent number: 4389910
    Abstract: A power control system for a motor vehicle engine and fluid pressure automatic transmission wherein the engine power control setting is adjusted to bring about correspondence between the actual driveline power output and the requested power output indicated by the accelerator pedal position. A follow up control system adjusts the transmission throttle valve cable according to the accelerator pedal position except under engine operating conditions associated with reduced fuel efficiency at which time the follow up control system is interrupted and the throttle valve cable is adjusted to initiate a downshift in the transmission. The follow up control system is reestablished when the available power output in the higher gear is sufficient to satisfy the requested power output in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce D. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 4380938
    Abstract: A transmission gear selector valve for automotive vehicles combining a range valve, normally strapped on the side of a gear shift lever, and a splitter valve, normally mounted on the gear shift lever in place of the knob, into a single valve assembly, which provides a single valve assembly mountable on the gear shift lever in place of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Olson
  • Patent number: 4377317
    Abstract: A side terminal battery adapter for connecting auxiliary cables to a side terminal of a side terminal battery includes resiliently urged opposed clamp halves adapted for fitting over and gripping the terminal. A gripping surface on the adapter permits connection of the auxiliary cables thereto using conventional gripping jaws. Alternatively, the adapter may be pivotably integrated with the gripping jaws of the auxiliary cables and retained in a selectable angular orientation with respect thereto by interengagement of circularly positioned teeth on the adapter and on the gripping jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Assignee: Auto-Line Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Shekel, Joseph DeStefano
  • Patent number: 4376394
    Abstract: A multi-speed bicycle transmission located at the drive pedal hub and manually actuatable shifting assembly therefor. The shifting assembly further includes a slidable collar mounted on and rotatable in conjunction with the drive pedal shaft within the drive pedal hub having camming means thereon engageable by pivotably displaceable shift pin means extending into the pedal hub to effect selective manually induced longitudinal displacement of said collar on the drive pedal shaft and an accompanying shifting of the gears in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Inventor: Fernand S. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 4364621
    Abstract: An electrical connector has a body of molded insulating material for fixedly holding a plurality of electrical conductors in the body. The connector body has openings with axial and radial passageways provided for axially or radially inserting or removing the conductors. A plurality of hinges are integral with the body and adjacent each opening for enlarging the adjacent opening in order to easily insert or remove conductors. The body is resiliently held in place by means of a seal disposed against an end wall of the body. Two or more elongated tabs are disposed opposite from one another and integral with an outer wall of the body for manipulating the outer wall to easily insert or remove the electrical connector from an electrical connector cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: General Signal Corp.
    Inventors: Robert B. Janvrin, Charles J. Bowden
  • Patent number: 4364626
    Abstract: An electrical connector has electrically conducting contact members with interengaging ends for interengagement with other contact members; and an outer insulating support housing. The support housing is in the form of a base and an array of projections extending upwardly from the base. The array of projections include at least one small size projection and one large size projection, with the large size projection having a large bore in the forward end, sized to receive the forward end of the small size projection. The small size projection has a small bore in its forward end. Supported in the bores are contact members with their interengagement ends extending into the bores so that when the small projection and large projection of two connectors are interengaged, the contact members are engaged to complete an electric circuit therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Edison Price Incorporated
    Inventor: Edison A. Price
  • Patent number: 4363529
    Abstract: Stamped and formed sheet metal terminal device has improved mounting means for mounting terminal on a circuit board. Mounting means comprises first and second coextensive mounting legs extending from the terminal and having free ends which are remote from the terminal. The legs have retaining portions adjacent to the terminal and reduced width portions extending from the retaining portions to the free ends. Camming means are provided on the reduced width portions which cause the retaining portions to move apart during final stages of movement of the legs into the circuit board hole and thereby establish an interference fit of the legs in the circuit board hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Winfield W. Loose
  • Patent number: 4357066
    Abstract: This specification discloses a terminal for coupling to the edge of a printed circuit board with two cooperating springs to permit a reduced terminal size with increased contact pressure. The springs are restrained in a partly deflected position so they are preloaded and can provide an increased contact pressure with respect to an undeflected spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Cairns, David G. Connors
  • Patent number: 4355854
    Abstract: A coiled spring is located in an annular space formed between a coupling nut and a body for locking the nut to the body when the nut is threaded in place. The coiled spring may have a metal core, a resilient core, or an air core. In other embodiments, the locking means may comprise a plurality of separate coiled springs located at spaced apart positions around a metal or resilient core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Inventor: Robert A. Williams
  • Patent number: 4355852
    Abstract: A lay-in lug to be coupled to a bushing, or the like, for providing a low resistance grounding connection between a wire secured in the lug and the bushing. The lug comprises a body member and a conduction member for providing strength and a low resistance conduction path, respectively. The body member supports the conduction member and includes resilience to compensate for cold flow of the laid-in wire. The conduction member is in direct contact with both the laid-in wire and the bushing to provide superior conduction between the wire and the bushing. In addition, the wire is pressed against one side of the back portion of the body member and the reverse side of the back of the body member is in direct contact with a back section of the conduction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Walter W. Bachle