Patents Examined by Gregory Binda
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Patent number: 9670963Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an inner race and a sleeve. The sleeve connects with the inner race. In addition, the sleeve connects with a pinion shaft via splines. A nut attaches to the sleeve and also the shaft. The nut/shaft attachment is through threads.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Seth A. Metzger, Seung Tark Oh, Jeffrey A. Dutkiewicz, Andrew Charles Shupe, Joseph H. Bradfield
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Patent number: 9664236Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer member defining a plurality of outer member ball tracks and an inner member defining a plurality of inner member ball tracks. The outer member ball tracks and the inner member ball tracks cooperate to define a plurality of uniform funnels having a uniform width along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of diverging funnels having a diverging width along the longitudinal axis. A drive ball is disposed within each of the uniform funnels and the diverging funnels. A cage is disposed between the outer member and the inner member, and defines a plurality of windows with one of the drive balls disposed within each of the windows. The diverging funnels urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis to pre-load the cage, while the uniform funnels do not urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis, thereby reducing the amount of heat generated between the cage and the drive balls.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Eduardo Mondragon
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Patent number: 9664221Abstract: An expandable device including: a first member; a second member; at least one tension member attached to the first and second members and extending between the first and second members, the first and second members movable between an open position, in which at least a part of the first member is spaced from the second member, and a closed position, in which said at least a part of the first member is adjacent the second member; and at least one spacer sized to be located between the first and second members when in the open position, and to maintain the first and second members in the open position, wherein, in the open position, the at least one tension member is held taut between the first and second members.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Inventor: Armando Camacho
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Patent number: 9664251Abstract: A coupler for translating a rotational force, including first and second rotational elements. The first rotational element defines a first pocket. The second rotational element is in axial alignment therewith and defines a second pocket facing the first pocket. The first pocket and the second pocket define a dampening chamber therebetween that varies in volume based on the overlap thereof. A fluid is positioned in the dampening chamber. A portion of the fluid is dispelled from the dampening chamber when the first rotational element rotates relative to the second rotational element and decreases the volume of the dampening chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Donald Harby, Phillip C. Stout, Ajit Ranjan Behera
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Patent number: 9660229Abstract: Battery packs include a battery pack housing, at least one battery release member held by the battery housing, a (blind) latch held by the battery pack housing in communication with the battery release member that releaseably locks the battery pack to a device, and a tactile feedback mechanism that is held by the battery pack housing and is in communication with the battery release member. The tactile feedback mechanism generates a tactile feedback that reduces or increases an application force required by a user to manually actuate the at least one release member. The tactile feedback transmitted through the at least one battery release member. The tactile feedback is generated when the at least one release member has been manually actuated by the user a sufficient distance to allow the user to easily remove the battery pack from the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand CompanyInventors: Justin Terrance Chellew, Roger B. Davis
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Patent number: 9651095Abstract: A displacement compensating coupling comprises a first coupling member, a second coupling member and connecting elements for connecting the coupling members. The coupling members are each made in one piece from composite material and have a first flange portion for attachment to one of the drive elements, a diaphragm portion that extends radially outwardly from the first flange portion, a second flange portion and a tube portion extending from an outer circumference of the diaphragm portion to the second flange portion. Each of the tube portions has two or more recesses that are spaced from each other in circumferential direction. In a first relative position of the coupling members, the recesses of the first coupling member face the recesses of the second coupling member, and in a second relative position the recesses of the first coupling member and of the second coupling member are offset in circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Ellergon Antriebstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.HInventors: Matthias Geislinger, Cornelius Geislinger, Andreas Brandstätter
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Patent number: 9651182Abstract: In order to create a quick-acting connection which is secure and subject to low levels of wear, in particular for the purpose of filling gas cylinders, having a housing (1), having an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for medium which is to be transferred, and having a quick-acting-connection device (4), in particular with collet chucks (5), provided in the region of the outlet (3), and having an actuating means (7), which engages in a recess (8?) of a sliding sleeve (8) by means of an eccentric disk (12), it is proposed that the recess (8?) contains a sliding block (9), to which the eccentric disk is eccentrically coupled and which, when the actuating means (7) is pivoted, can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Inventors: Erwin Weh, Wolfgang Weh
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Patent number: 9644685Abstract: A transmission includes an output shaft. The output shaft is configured to transmit torque from the transmission through an output shaft flange to a driveshaft. The transmission further includes an adapter having a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion, and a journal. The first threaded portion is received by the output shaft. The journal extends from the second threaded portion and is configured to align the driveshaft with the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Michael Pariseau, Christopher Peter Nicholas
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Patent number: 9644393Abstract: An impact absorbing barrier includes a plurality of posts and a plurality of rails. Each post of the plurality of posts includes an impact absorption mechanism. Each rail of the plurality of rails includes a first end coupled to a first post of the plurality of posts and a second end coupled to a second, different post of the plurality of posts. The coupling between the first end and the first post and the coupling between the second end and the second post cause at least some of a force of a collision on the first post to be transferred to the impact absorption mechanism of the second post.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: McCue CorporationInventors: David S. McCue, Thomas Ustach, Timothy David Stratford
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Patent number: 9644687Abstract: A joint assembly is provided. The joint assembly includes a first yoke having a base portion and an end, a second yoke having a base portion and an end, a sleeve coupled to the first and second yokes, and a centering device engaging the ends of the first and second yokes. The centering device is configured to maintain the angular positions of the first and second yokes relative to one another and is substantially fixed from rotation during rotation of the first and second yokes. A portion of the centering device extends into and supported by the second yoke base portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventor: Joen C. Bodtker
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Patent number: 9644705Abstract: A damper unit of an internal combustion engine includes an input-side rotor, an output-side rotor, first coiled springs, second coiled springs, an input-side sliding contact surface, and a biasing member. The input-side rotor includes a first spring holder, a second spring holder, and a connecting portion. The second spring holder is arranged on a second side of the output-side rotor, has a facing side facing the output-side rotor, and has second spring accommodation portions on the facing side each of which accommodates each of the second coiled springs. The input-side sliding contact surface is provided in the second spring holder so as to be in sliding contact with an output-side sliding contact surface of the output-side rotor. The biasing member is provided between the first spring holder and the output-side rotor to press the output-side rotor toward the second spring holder.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takamori Shirasuna, Hiroyuki Sugiura, Mitsuyoshi Kamiya
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Patent number: 9638229Abstract: A connection device for assembling together a receiver first section member presenting an inner cavity, and a fastener second section member presenting a groove having a constricted opening. The connection device includes a cage forming a pair of jaws for coming into engagement in the groove. The device also including a resilient drive mechanism for urging a spacer member between the jaws so as to space them apart in such a manner as to come into engagement with the groove through the constricted opening; and a pivotable lever that pivots about a pivot pin, the pivotable lever including a lever arm and a thrust head that engages the spacer member so as to move it against the force exerted by the resilient drive mechanism on the spacer member.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: AGAM Group, LtdInventor: Claude Gamain
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Patent number: 9638261Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for a vehicle includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member that is received by the first tubular member defining a coaxial relationship. The first tubular member defines a plurality of protuberances with each of the protuberances defining a side wall and the second tubular member defines a plurality of apertures with each of the apertures defined by a flange circumscribing the aperture and extending radially inwardly of second tubular member. Each aperture receives a protuberance so that the protuberance abuts the sidewalls of the aperture affixing the first tubular member to said second tubular member in a substantially fixed circumferential orientation.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignees: SZUBA CONSULTING, INC., VALUE EXTRACTION LLCInventor: Joseph A. Szuba
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Patent number: 9638281Abstract: A lock-up device for a torque converter is provided in which torsion springs are appropriately compressed and deformed even when the torsion springs to be used have a shape elongated in a circumferential direction of the lock-up device. The lock-up device includes a drive plate, torsion springs and a driven plate. The drive plate has a fixation part, a plurality of torque transmission parts and a plurality of receiver parts. The fixation part is fixed to a piston. The plural torque transmission parts are formed to extend from the fixation part to an outer peripheral side and contact rotation-directional ends of the torsion spring. The plural receiver parts are formed on an outer peripheral part of the fixation part, support the inner peripheral side parts of the torsion springs on an engine side with respect to the axial centers of the torsion springs, and extend toward a transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventor: Naoki Tomiyama
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Patent number: 9638240Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first transition portion, a first constriction portion, a second constriction portion, and a second transition portion and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first constriction portion and the second constriction portion and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Ryan W. Laskey, Jeffrey A. Dutkiewicz
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Patent number: 9642236Abstract: A connector component is provided for assembly into a torch. The connector component comprises a body that includes a proximal end and a distal end disposed along a longitudinal axis. At least two thread regions are disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on a surface of the body near the proximal end. Each thread region includes at least two parallel threads disposed on the surface of the body. In addition, at least two smooth regions are each disposed radially about the longitudinal axis between a pair of thread regions on the surface of the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Mather, Jeffrey R. Cornish, Geoffrey W. Smith, Boris Mandadzhiev, Harshawardhan Jogdand, Shawn Laflamme, George Caccavaro
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Patent number: 9638282Abstract: A damper apparatus includes a first rotation member, a second rotation member, a first elastic portion interposed between the first and the second rotation members and elastically deformed by a relative rotation between the first and the second rotation members, a third rotation member, a second elastic portion interposed between the second and third rotation members and elastically deformed by a relative rotation between the second and third rotation members, and a dynamic vibration absorber. The dynamic vibration absorber includes an anchor member and a third elastic portion that is interposed between the anchor member and the second rotation member and that is elastically deformed by a relative rotation between the anchor member and the second rotation member. At least the third elastic portion is positioned at an inner side of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion in a radial direction of the rotation axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Kawazoe, Masaru Ebata, Takuya Fujiwara, Miki Torii, Tomohiro Saeki
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Patent number: 9638283Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is provided with a damper mass carrier at which is received at least one damper mass that is movable relative to the damper mass carrier and at least one stop. The at least one stop is associated with each stop side of the at least one damper mass. The at least one damper mass and the stop have an extension in extension direction of a central axis. The at least one damper mass has a plurality of damper mass elements in extension direction of the central axis, while the stop has in extension direction of the central axis a stop profile at its side facing the stop sides of the damper mass elements. The stop profile has different radial distances from the central axis in association with the damper mass elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Wirachowski, Matthias Kram, Ying Dong, Volker Stampf, Jörg Sudau, Armin Stürmer, Friedrich Kokott, Christoph Sasse, Daniel Pittner, Oliver Andres, Simone Vierneusel, Dennis Egler, Kyrill Siemens
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Patent number: 9638262Abstract: A damper apparatus includes a damper portion including an elastic member to absorb a torque fluctuation by expansion and contraction of the elastic member in a circumferential direction of the damper portion, and a limiter portion connected to the damper portion to restrict a transmission of a torque which exceeds a predetermined value, the limiter portion including a first member and a second member being rotatable at a rotation center, a friction member sandwiched between the first member and the second member, and a third member connected to the first member, the third member including a spindle portion and a plate spring portion integrally formed with the spindle portion to press the first member and the second member in a state where the friction member is sandwiched between the first member and the second member.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Atsushi Yamazumi, Yasuyuki Imai, Tsuneo Ukei, Masakazu Kamiya
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Patent number: 9638360Abstract: A seal member for sealingly securing a first and a second pipe at a crimp connection, the seal member including a ring-shaped body having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the ring-shaped body and extend radially outwardly from the outer diameter. The ring-shaped body permits fluid to pass around adjacent protrusions prior to attaining the crimp connection and inhibits fluid from passing therearound subsequent to attaining the crimp connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy L. Jamison, Charles A. Stout, Adam L. Thomas