Patents Examined by Gregory Binda
  • Patent number: 9322238
    Abstract: A pump drive head for a progressing cavity pump comprises a top mounted stuffing box rotatably disposed around a compliantly mounted standpipe with a self or manually adjusting pressurization system for the stuffing box. To prevent rotary and vertical motion of the polish rod while servicing the stuffing box, a polished rod lock-out clamp is provided with the pump drive head integral with or adjacent to a blow-out-preventer which can be integrated with the pump drive head to save space and cost. A centrifugal backspin braking system located on the input shaft and actuated only in the backspin direction and a gear drive between the input shaft and output shaft are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Oil Lift Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Vern A. Hult
  • Patent number: 9322453
    Abstract: Mating components that are mateable to another component to share the same axis of rotation, assemblies including the mating component mated to another component, and methods of mating them together are disclosed. The mating component includes a hub having an engaging portion defining an endless channel recessed therein. The endless channel has a surface that defines one or more trenches therein and an elastomeric band seated against that surface in an uncompressed state. The elastomeric band has an outermost dimension relative to the endless channel that is larger than the inner or outer dimension defined by the engaging portion of the hub and thereby defines an unchanneled portion of the elastomeric band, which has a volume that is equal to or less than the total volume of the one or more trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Doug Averill, Bruce G. Christenson
  • Patent number: 9316029
    Abstract: An attachment element (1) connecting a locking bar (4) of a lock (2) of a motor vehicle to an actuation lever (5) of a motor vehicle lock (2), wherein the attachment element (1) consists of one part and is C-shaped, and wherein the limbs (11, 12) of the C-shape (10) are connected with each other in a hinge-type connection and are designed so that they can be connected positively and/or frictionally with an opening (6) of a lever (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 9316266
    Abstract: A parallel link mechanism includes proximal end side and distal end side link hubs, and three or more link mechanisms. Each link mechanism is a trinodal link mechanism including four revolute pairs, and includes proximal side and distal side end link members and an intermediate link member. In each revolute pair of the link mechanism, a pair of pair constituent members is connected to each other via a bearing. A shaft portion provided in one pair constituent member is fitted on an inner periphery of an inner ring of the bearing, and an annular inner face forming portion provided in the other pair constituent member is fitted on an outer periphery of the outer ring of the bearing. The shaft portion and the annular inner face forming portion define a sealing structure which regulates flow of a lubricant between inside and outside of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Hiroyuki Yamada, Keisuke Sone
  • Patent number: 9314910
    Abstract: Dynamical flange clamp for strengthening flange couplings or taking over the bolt forces in a loaded flange coupling, where opposite clamps (1, 2) are preloaded towards each other, contraholders (3) are fitted on one of the clamps (2), functioning as back stop to absorb the preload. When installed on a flange connection the gasket stress is kept virtually constant during the transfer of forces between the flange coupling bolts and the flange clamp. This is done without any further adjustments to the dynamical flange clamp. The dynamic flange clamp is particularly useful during bolt changes in a Hot Bolting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Per-Christian Irgens
  • Patent number: 9316264
    Abstract: A propeller shaft for a vehicle includes a shaft having locking protrusions on an outer circumference, a tube having locking grooves on an inner circumference into which the shaft is inserted, the locking grooves engaging with the locking protrusions to form the spline coupling, a dynamic damper inside the tube to correspond to an end of the shaft and absorbing vibrations transmitted from a driving system, and a rubber stopper interposed between an outer circumference of the dynamic damper and the inner circumference of the tube to support the dynamic damper and correspond to the end of the shaft to limit sliding of the tube at normal times. The rubber stopper is broken by a pushing operation of the tube when an impact load greater than a collapse load of the rubber stopper acts on the rubber stopper, thereby permitting the sliding of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Won Jun Choi
  • Patent number: 9312630
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a coil spring locking connector offering multiple groove geometries to allow multiple connection positions along the direction of insertion. A connector with an external spring access opening is formed through the housing wall surface. The opening allows access to the coil spring to allow removal of the spring from the connector prior to removal of the connector from a locked position to prevent potential damage to connector components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Huang
  • Patent number: 9308818
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes an input rotary member having a pressing portion, and an output rotary member having a receiving portion to be pressed by the pressing portion. The input rotary member forces the output rotary member to rotate when resilient members disposed between the input rotary member and the output rotary member are deformed by predetermined amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Masaki Yamazaki, Shinya Nishiyama, Shinichiro Keyaki, Yusuke Funayose, Scott Batdorf, Masataka Murai, Takayuki Suzuki, Kaoru Aono
  • Patent number: 9307844
    Abstract: A snap-fit joint for connecting frame members includes a male member having an insertion end, a top portion, and opposite sidewalls. A female member has a socket to receive the male member insertion end. The socket includes an upstanding wall that temporarily flexes outwardly. Co-acting surfaces of the upstanding socket wall and the male member sidewall include co-acting surfaces in temporarily contact during insertion of the male member into the female member socket to temporarily outwardly flex the upstanding socket wall and seat the male member. The socket wall terminates in a tab and the male member sidewall surface terminates in a recess. The male member is fully seated in the socket, and the co-acting surfaces are out of contact with each other, the upstanding socket wall returns to an unflexed condition, and the socket tab is received in sidewall to lock the male member within the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: APQ Development, LLC
    Inventor: Rex Blakeman
  • Patent number: 9309917
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first shaft member including a first material and having a first shaft axis, a first distal end having a first diameter, and a first proximate end, and a second shaft member including a second material different from the first material, and having a second shaft axis, a second proximate end having a second diameter, and a second distal end. A joint permanently affixes the first distal end of the first shaft member to the second proximate end of the second shaft member such that the first shaft axis is aligned with the second shaft axis, where the first distal end substantially abuts the second proximate end, and wherein the first diameter is substantially identical to the second diameter. The second shaft member protrudes through a housing, the housing including a seal sealing against an outer diameter of the second shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Poster, David Bockmiller, Mark Przybyla
  • Patent number: 9309930
    Abstract: A vehicular torque limiter having a first shaft including connecting means complementary to connecting means of an end of an axle-shaft of the vehicle, a second shaft connectable to a hub assembly of a wheel of the vehicle by bolts of the wheel which are accessible, torque limiting elements, for limiting torque between the first and second shafts, thereby a drive member of the wheel which directly connects the axle-shaft to the hub assembly, is replaceable with the torque limiter, thereby providing a universal, easy to install torque limiter designed for vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Erad Shimshie
  • Patent number: 9309927
    Abstract: A rotational driveshaft coupler that converts a rotating shaft motion into two orthogonal oscillations and at the opposite side of this coupler, a third oscillator converts the oscillations back to a rotational motion. At least one slip free seal can be constructed from the coupler to its housing to separate the space occupied by the output shaft from the space occupied by the input shaft. Each of the three oscillating motions can be guided by bearings, gears and tracks to reduce frictions and heat generation. Permanent magnet pairs are used to prevent bifurcation and force the output shaft to follow the rotation direction of the input shaft. Unlike in magnetic coupling, the torque transmission here is direct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 9309907
    Abstract: A structure for fixing a first substrate and a second substrate, which are connected by an inter-substrate connector and fixed and overlapped each other with a space, comprises, a spacer member that is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and maintains a space between the first substrate and the second substrate at a predetermined distance; a pressing portion that presses the second substrate toward the first substrate; and a locking member that is fixed in the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Chitaka, Masaru Yokota
  • Patent number: 9302807
    Abstract: A water storage fence assembly collects and stores a fluid, such as water, therein. The assembly includes a plurality of panels coupled together to define a storage unit. An interior space of the storage unit is configured to receive a fluid therein. Each of the panels is in fluid communication with an adjacently positioned one of the panels such that the fluid positioned within the interior space of the storage unit flows freely between the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Sarkis Semaan
  • Patent number: 9302385
    Abstract: A rotation control device for a tool is disposed between a handle and a tool head and includes two ratchet wheels, a spring and two C-shaped snap rings. The two ratchet wheels are symmetrically arranged. When pressed, the respective ratchet wheels will be subjected to the same force and move the same distance, thus making the engagement between the ratchet wheels and the tool head more assured while avoiding the stuck fault and improving the convenience in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Su
  • Patent number: 9303684
    Abstract: A swivel mount for solar tracker shafts having a clamp having an inner surface with a spherical shape and first and second parts forming a brace adapted to hold a solar tracker shaft, wherein the brace formed by the first and second parts has an external surface having a spherical shape, such that the solar tracker shaft is axially retained by the clamp and can be oriented in any required spatial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GRUPO CLAVIJIO ELT, S.L.
    Inventor: Miguel Clavijo Lumbreras
  • Patent number: 9295522
    Abstract: A surgical device adapter for coupling an end effector to a surgical device includes: a proximal joint housing that is couplable to the surgical device; a middle joint housing that is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the proximal joint housing; and a distal joint housing that is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the middle joint housing. The middle joint housing is pivotable about a first pivot axis defined between the proximal joint housing and the middle joint housing. The distal joint housing is couplable to the end effector and pivotable about a second pivot axis defined between the middle joint housing and the distal joint housing, the second pivot axis being transverse to the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 9297179
    Abstract: Razor wire which includes a core wire, an electrically insulating sheath over the core wire and a strip, with a plurality of barbs, which is crimped, along two lines, on opposing sides of the sheath, positioned so that the sheath is not damaged during the crimping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: BIRMINGHAM BARBED TAPE LTD.
    Inventors: Ronald Smith, Steven David Cochrane
  • Patent number: 9296271
    Abstract: A ball joint comprising: a housing having an inner cavity defined inward of a seat end, a side wall and a closure end having an opening, an edge about the opening in an assembly position extending upwardly; a ball stud having: a lower ball end with an outer convex spherical surface, a middle portion, and a connector end; a first bearing, slidably housed within the cavity, having an inner concave spherical surface; a retention plate, housed within the cavity inward of the edge about the opening, wherein the edge of the opening extends inwardly engaging an outer surface of the retention plate in a closed position; and a first disc annular recess in at least one of: an outward surface of the first bearing; and an inward surface of the retention plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MEVOTECH LP
    Inventors: Ezer Mevorach, Rosan Luiz
  • Patent number: 9295224
    Abstract: A portable barrier wall used for preventing the passage of people, vehicles, projectiles, blast debris, liquids, wind or waves through the wall. The wall is constructed of one or more x-shaped freestanding support structures arranged in parallel orientation to form a frame for holding retaining members that attach to the support structures. The retaining members form U-shaped containment structures within each segment of the wall. Fill material is added to the containment structures which are then sealed. Connecting means attach the two support structures together to prevent movement. Wall used to contain liquids may additionally include a liquid impervious layer that is placed external to the retaining member on the side of the barrier wall that will be in contact with liquid and the layer is anchored under the feet of one of the support structures. The wall may additionally hold absorptive or adsorptive materials to contain spills and contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ArdenX LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Arden, H. Baird Lobree